Axillary node status in nonpalpable XXXX .

@entity5 @entity1 @entity0 @entity3
BACKGROUND: The metastatic status of the axillary nodes is prognostically important but its value has been questioned in the management of nonpalpable @entity0 . This study correlates the incidence of positive nodes with the size of the primary nonpalpable @entity5 . METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 220 invasive and 21 microinvasive @entity0 that were excised after needle localization and for which axillary dissections were subsequently performed. Of invasive @entity5 , 166 presented as mass lesions with or without microcalcifications and 54 as microcalcifications alone. The size of the mass lesions (n = 166) was determined mammographically and on pathologic specimens. They were subdivided into five groups according to diameter: (a) < or = 5 mm, (b) 6-10 mm, (c) 11-20 mm, (d) > 20 mm, and (e) unrecorded size. RESULTS: Axillary @entity3 were found in 9% of @entity1 whose @entity5 presented as microcalcifications alone. They were found in 0, 11, and 22% of @entity1 in mammographic groups, a, b, and c, respectively. In the corresponding groups in which size was determined from the pathology report, @entity3 were found in 5, 10, and 27%. CONCLUSION: The size of nonpalpable @entity0 measured on the excised gross specimen and by mammogram accurately predicts the likelihood of axillary node @entity3 .
