Exploring innovative nodal imaging and treatment strategies in breast cancer : a next step in patient tailored axillart treatment?

All breast cancer patients are examined to check for the presence of malignant tumour cells that may have spread to the axillary lymph nodes. Following an ultrasound of the axilla, one or more lymph nodes are surgically removed for this purpose. This dissertation shows, among other things, that a contrast-enhanced MRI scan of the axilla could provide a promising alternative to surgical removal of the lymph nodes. If the validation study confirms this, surgery could be avoided in 70% of new breast cancer patients, because they do not have metastases in the lymph nodes. They would also be less exposed to the potential effects of axillary surgery, such as problems with shoulder movement, arm swelling due to a build-up of lymph fluid, or changes in arm sensitivity.