Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Patients With Breast Cancer After Neoadjuvant Therapy

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Patients With Breast Cancer After Neoadjuvant Therapy

The aim of this study is to create clear indications for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) or Axillary Dissection (AD) in women with breast carcinoma after neoadjuvant therapy by studying the false negative rate of SLNB.

The main object of the study is to evaluate, whether sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) at women with breast cancer after neoadjuvant therapy is a method with a high false-negative rate. Patients will be classified into groups according to histological findings during SLNB, clinical and ultrasonography (USG) findings in the axilla. The aim of this study is to create clear indications for SLNB or axillary dissection (AD). In case of extension of SLNB indications, there will be a decrease in morbidity after surgical therapy when compared to AD, which will mean a profit for the patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• diagnosis of breast carcinoma confirmed by biopsy
• neoadjuvant therapy
• examination of axillary lymph nodes clinically and by ultrasound
• surgical therapy after neoadjuvant therapy

Exclusion Criteria:

• inflammatory breast carcinoma
• incomplete neoadjuvant therapy
• previous sentinel lymph node biopsy performed on the same side of the body
• disagreement with participation in the study
• other malignities influencing the treatment of breast carcinoma
• distant metastases