Sentinel node biopsy after preoperative chemotherapy in breast carcinoma - Is it safe?

Background: Preoperative chemotherapy (PC) and sentinel node biopsy (SNB) are two modern approaches in the treatment for breast cancer, both aiming at a reduction in surgery. While PC is mainly applied to large primary tumours, SNB is indicated for early breast cancer. By gradually expanding the indication for both methods, a group of patients is going to emerge that may benefit from both methods. The Austrian Sentinel Node Biopsy Study Group of the Austrian Breast and Colorectal Cancer Study Group is trying to find out whether adequate safety can be assured when PC and SNB are combined.