Axillary Nodal Positivity in Early-Stage Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: Implications for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Omission
Approximately one (20.2 %) in five patients with early-stage, clinically node-negative ILC harbors occult axillary nodal metastases. Pathologic tumor size emerged as the primary determinant of nodal involvement. Pleomorphic variants showed a tendency toward higher nodal burden. These findings indicate that omission of SLNB in ILC may carry a risk of axillary understaging with potential therapeutic implications. Pending evidence from prospective studies specifically designed for lobular histology, SLNB should continue to be considered an essential component of axillary evaluation in this subgroup.
Authors
- Beatrice Carnassale (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1416-9240)
- Maria Natale (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5778-8941)
- Elisabetta Gambaro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6713-6357)
- Annalaura Di Pumpo
- Federica Gagliardi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8860-8090)
- Stefano Magno (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3721-9693)
- Ersilia Biondi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4110-4506)
- Chiara Rianna
- Alba Di Leone (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8219-5336)
- Francesca Moschella (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4970-6288)
- Flavia De Lauretis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7993-5324)
- Cristina Accetta (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3275-4670)
- Enrico Di Guglielmo
- Eleonora Petrazzuolo
- Marta Silenzi
- Gianluca Franceschini
- Antonio Franco
- Alejandro Martin Sanchez
- Lorenzo Scardina
- Sabatino D’Archi
Institutions
- Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Annals of Surgical Oncology
- Published
- 2026-03-12
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-026-19387-6
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Breast Cancer Treatment Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 24.82
Funders
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore