PhD Conferral drs. Ingrid van den Hoven

“Clinical prediction models and the changing role of axillary treatment in breast cancer”

Keywords: breast cancer, metastases, axillary nodes, prediction model

Information about metastases in the axillary lymph nodes is important for the prognosis of breast cancer patients. Axillary lymph node dissections were previously performed to remove all lymph nodes, to gain localised control and to develop a follow-up treatment plan. In recent years, however, several changes have taken place that suggest a marked decrease in the surgical treatment of axillary nodes. This has made the decision-making process and the resulting treatment plan increasingly complex. This dissertation describes the changes to underarm treatment in breast cancer patients and evaluates the role of prediction models in creating a targeted treatment plan.