Editorial on MSKCC prospective validation study of ACOSOG Z0011 Trial—what have we learned?

De-escalation of axillary surgery in early breast cancer has been advocated to reduce early and late morbidity associated with extensive lymph node dissection. Several studies have shown that less surgery does not impact on patient survival in specific settings (1-3). The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) latest study definitely shows the clinical applicability of American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG) Z0011 trial published by Giuliano et al. in 2011 and then updated in 2017 (1,4,5).