Alternative model for placement of surgical clip for tumor bed localization in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy: technical description

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of placement of surgical clip for tumor bed localization in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy through thick needle (core biopsy). Methods: Prospective, nonrandomized patients treated at the Breast Unit of A. C. Camargo Cancer Hospital with locally advanced breast cancer (≥ T3 and / or ≥ N2) or T2 lesion with unfavourable tumour/breast size index in which mastectomy would be performed up front. These patients that are candidates to neoadjuvant chemotherapy with the intention to preserve the breast (breast-conserving surgery) would submitted for marking the tumor with a titanium clip LT 200 (Ethicon Endo-Surgery) introduced by core needle biopsy guided by ultrasound. Results/Conclusion: This work demonstrate that the introduction of the surgical clip through core needle biopsy is feasible, economical, has quick learning curve and is highly reproducible allowing marking the tumor bed safely in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy.