A survey of surgical management of the axilla in UK breast cancer patients

The aim of our study was to survey management of the axilla by specialist breast surgeons in the United Kingdom (UK). The questionnaire was returned by 371 surgeons, 366 (99%) were consultants and 96% treated more than 50 cases of breast cancer every year. 28% treated patients with invasive breast c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of cancer (1990) 2004-07, Vol.40 (11), p.1738-1742
Main Authors: Gaston, M.S, Dixon, J.M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Axilla
Axilla - surgery
Biological and medical sciences
Breast cancer
Breast Neoplasms - surgery
Consultants
Female
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
Health Surveys
Humans
Lymph Node Excision - methods
Lymphatic Metastasis
Mammary gland diseases
Medical sciences
Medical Staff, Hospital
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Professional Practice
Sentinal node biopsy
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy - utilization
Surgical management
Surveys and Questionnaires
Tumors
United Kingdom
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Summary:The aim of our study was to survey management of the axilla by specialist breast surgeons in the United Kingdom (UK). The questionnaire was returned by 371 surgeons, 366 (99%) were consultants and 96% treated more than 50 cases of breast cancer every year. 28% treated patients with invasive breast cancer by axillary clearance (AxCl) alone, 5% used sampling alone (AxNS), 40% used both AxCl and AxNS, 10% AxCl and sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy and 17% AxCl, AxNS and SLN biopsy. 9% cleared to level I, and sometimes to level II, 42% to level II and 49% to level III. 56% tried to preserve one or multiple intercostal nerves and 44% routinely divided the intercostalbrachial nerves. 52% performed SNB within trials alone and 36% out side of trials only. A range of techniques were described for the SLN biopsy procedure. There is no consistent practice of managing the axilla in the UK and standardisation is required. SLN biopsy is performed both within and outside of trials and a variety of techniques are used.
ISSN:0959-8049
1879-0852
DOI:10.1016/j.ejca.2004.04.007