Abstract: The role of the surgeon managing breast diseases has been the subject of continuous evolution, moving from the cancer-extirpative surgeon to a deeply informed surgical leader, who interacts in a multidisciplinary setting also encompassing tasks for risk assessment, genetic counselling, and new diagnostic approaches. Surgical removal of the tumour remains the cornerstone in treating early stage breast cancer. During the last century, breast cancer surgery became less radical, breast-conserving treatment emerged, and the role of axillary lymphadenectomy changed from a therapeutic procedure into a staging procedure with prognostic implications. Later, the sentinel node concept reduced the need for complete axillary clearance in most cases. Nowadays, thanks to breast-conserving surgery, oncoplastic techniques, and reconstructive procedures, most breast cancer patients can overcome this disease without serious permanent physical mutilation. A multidisciplinary approach, benchmarking, and quality assurance have improved outcomes markedly.
Ultrasound and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy can predict heavy nodal metastatic burden in early-stage breast cancer
