Posted on June 28, 2024
A study led by our Vice-Chair for Diversity and Inclusion & Division Chief of Breast Division, Dr. Emilia Diego and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center suggests that sentinel lymph node biopsy may be unnecessary for middle-aged women with certain breast cancers. Using AI to analyze health records, the research found that surgery guidelines for women over 70 with early-stage ER+ breast cancer could be safely applied to postmenopausal women aged 55+. Dr. Diego highlighted the risks of sentinel lymph node biopsy, such as lymphedema, and noted that older patients with small tumors have low rates of lymph node positivity. This suggests the procedure might not always be needed, potentially reducing unnecessary surgeries and their associated risks.