[The role of lymph node surgery in the treatment of breast cancer].

Breast cancer accounts for approximately 24% of all new cancer cases in women worldwide and remains a major challenge for the medical community despite advances in screening and treatment. The management of axillary lymph nodes is crucial for local-regional control and tumor staging. Historically, radical mastectomy was introduced by William Halsted in the late 19th century; however, this method resulted in significant morbidity. Over time, less invasive techniques have been developed, notably sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in the 1990s, which assesses the status of axillary lymph nodes based on the sentinel node. If this node is disease-free, a complete axillary dissection can often be avoided, thereby reducing complications. SLNB is now recognized as the standard of care for patients with early-stage breast cancer without clinical nodal involvement, supported by studies such as ACOSOG Z0011 and AMAROS. However, questions remain regarding the best surgical approach for patients with specific tumor subtypes or extensive nodal involvement. This article offers an analysis of the scientific foundations of lymph node surgery, technical advancements, clinical trial outcomes, and the future prospects of increasingly personalized medicine.