Positive Node Traced Before Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy (NAC)

Long-term Tracing for Axillary Lymph Nodes Dissection in the Patients With Fusion Lymph Node Before Neo-adjuvant Chemotherapy

To investigate this regression model by injecting and tracing carbon nanoparticles (CNs) into the fusion node prior to NAC in patients with breast cancer.

Guided by ultrasound, 0.3 mL of CNs suspension was injected in a fusion node prior to NAC in 110 patients with local advanced breast cancer. Patients underwent breast surgery and total axillary lymph node dissection following 2-6 cycles of NAC. The distribution by intercostobrachial nerves (ICBN) of positive nodes, black-stained nodes and lymphovascular invasion was investigated by response to NAC.

Inclusion Criteria:

• invasive ductal carcinoma diagnosed by biopsy;
• clinically positive node diagnosed by contrast enhance computer tomography (CECT), the number of strengthened nodes at Level I ≥ 1 with the longest diameter of the strengthened node ≥ 2cm;
• NAC regimen followed the NCCN guideline;
• no prior history of breast cancer or other malignancies.

Exclusion Criteria:

• the cycle number of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy is equal to or less than 2