Does predicting positive nonsentinel nodes answer the question of axillary dissection and provide a benefit?

Slomski and Julian remark on Meretoja et al's study that described a predictive tool that could be used to assess the risk of additional axillary metastases after a positive sentinel node biopsy. The use of preoperative axillary ultrasound with needle biopsy of nodes eliminated some women from proceeding to sentinel node biopsy and, therefore, affected the rate of nonsentinel node positivity. The Meretoja et al model may be useful for predicting the existence of additional positive axillary nodes after sentinel node biopsy, and the authors should be applauded for their efforts.