AXILLARY LYMPHADENECTOMY - JUST HOW RADICAL SHOULD IT BE

To determine whether local axillary recurrences correlate with the num ber of lymph nodes extirpated, 779 cases of breast cancer were analyse d in retrospect.Results: The number of lymph nodes extirpated varied b etween 1 and 42 per axilla. The axillary recurrence rate of 5.5% showe d a minimal correlation between the frequency of these recurrences and the number of lymph nodes removed. There is an equally insignificant correlation between the percentage of positive histological findings a nd the number of lymph nodes extirpated: The trend analysis shows that with fewer than five lymph nodes extirpated, 40% of positive histolog ical findings can be expected, whereas with over 20 lymph nodes extirp ated the percentage is 45%. Conclusion: The number of lymph nodes exti rpated is an unsuitable indicator as to how radical axillary clearance is. Surgeons should rely on anatomical boundaries rather than focusin g on the number of lymph nodes removed.