De-escalation of Axillary Surgery in the Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy (NACT) Setting for Breast Cancer: Is it Oncologically Safe?

Abstract

Background/aim: The treatment of breast cancer has progressed considerably over the years, with a significant de-escalation from radical mastectomies to the current paradigm of breast conserving surgery (BCS) and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). We aimed to appraise the literature regarding the feasibility of de-escalation of treatment of axillary disease in the context of NACT.

Materials and methods: We appraised studies and guidelines published regarding this topic and discussed them in this mini-review.

Results and conclusion: The SNB following NACT is oncologically safe in patients with clinically node negative disease and in patients with biopsy proven axillary node involvement at presentation provided that the dual technique is used and the clipped pathological node is harvested.

Keywords: Breast cancer; axillary disease; neo-adjuvant chemotherapy; review; sentinel node biopsy.