Core biopsy of the axillary Lymph node in primary breast cancer – A powerful tool to reduce second axillary procedure

Background: Routine preoperative axillary assessment using ultrasound and sampling of suspicious Lymph nodes is a standard practice in patients diagnosed with primary breast cancer. This helps to decide if patients require axillary clearance (ALND) instead of sentinel node biopsy (SLNB) should it come back as positive. While rationale for axillary clearance itself is being questioned, it is continued to be performed in many units.