ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The publication of the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG) Z-0011 Trial concluded that axillary lymph node clearance is no longer necessary for women having breast conserving treatment with 1-2 positive axillary sentinel lymph glands. The current study was designed to investigate the clinical impact of the Z-0011 Trial in breast surgical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The BreastSurgANZ National Breast Cancer Audit database was interrogated for women treated between 2005 and 2010 who would have met the entry criteria for the Z-0011 Trial. This group was then calculated as a proportion of the total breast cancer episodes treated during this period. RESULTS: A total of 64,883 cases of breast cancer were eligible for analysis. 22,731 underwent breast conserving surgery and sentinel node biopsy for invasive breast cancer. A total of 4482 cases (6.9%) fulfilled the criteria for Z-11 Trial. CONCLUSION: Although the ACOSOG Z-0011 Trial has important implications for sentinel node positive cases undergoing breast conserving treatment, the overall impact of the Trial in breast clinical practice is small. It cannot be described as "practice changing". Women who fulfil the entry criteria for the Z-0011 Trial should be informed of the clinical relevance of the trial and be permitted to participate in informed discussions with members of the multidisciplinary team regarding their treatment options.
