Role of Primary Chemotherapy in Women with Biopsy-proven Lymph Node-positive Breast Cancer

Abstract

Purpose: Women with lymph node-positive early breast cancer who achieve a good response to primary chemotherapy could potentially avoid axillary node clearance (ANC) and proceed to sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) [1]. This would reduce the risk of significant lymphoedema. We have previously reported response rates in the axilla following primary chemotherapy in our population [2]. We now report on 30 patients who had a marker clip inserted in the lymph node prior to primary chemotherapy. At the time of breast surgery, patients either underwent ANC or SLNB with at least three lymph nodes removed, including the marker clip, to enable accurate assessment of response.