Clinicopathologic and molecular predictors of axillary lymph node metastasis in early-stage breast cancer: a mathematical predictive model

Axillary nodal (LN) stage is the most important prognostic factor in early-stage breast cancer (BC) which has risen as a result of widespread BC screening. However, surgical procedures for LN staging carry the risk of early and long-term postoperative morbidity. Therefore, reliable predictors of nodal status are needed to reduce the extent of axillary surgery and its consequences.