“The enigma of lymph node staging in breast cancer”

Keywords: breast cancer, lymph nodes, prognosis, PET-MRI

Lymph nodes play an important role in breast cancer treatment, as the presence of lymph node metastases negatively affect the patient's prognosis. At present, the only way to determine whether a patient has lymph node metastases is through axillary surgery. This dissertation examined new techniques that optimise the way lymph node metastases are diagnosed to prevent unnecessary axillary surgery in the future. One of the most promising methods is a PET-MRI scan of the armpit, a technique that was examined for the first time at Maastricht UMC+. Based on the research conducted here, it was determined that this technique was far more accurate in detecting lymph node metastases. This discovery may influence treatment methods in the future.

The studies carried out as part of this dissertation were made possible with funding from the Cancer Research Fund Limburg, Carla Boetes Fund, and Alpe d'Huzes/Dutch Cancer Society.