title: Tumour localisation with a metal coil before the administration of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy.
abstract: Complete clinical response (CR) with tumour disappearance is not uncommon after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for locally advanced breast cancer, avoiding 25% mastectomies by facilitating breast-conserving procedures. We reviewed our series to understand the feasibility and utility of marking the cancer site before administering NAC. In total, 23 women (median age 47 years) with T2-4, N0-1, M0 tumours were considered unsuitable for breast conserving surgery between January 2002 and November 2003, thus received NAC following a coil placement at the core of tumour. All patients had the coil successfully inserted and no migration or infection was recorded. Eight patients (35%) had a radiological CR (rCR) including 3 (13%) with pathological CR (pCR). In total, 87% patients were managed conservatively. The insertion of a metal coil is a simple mean to provide a landmark for localisation and excision when the breast lump becomes impalpable and radiologically undetectable after the administration of NAC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Whiston Hospital, Prescot, UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nadeem
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Chagla
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Desmond
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thind
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Flavin
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Audisio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018943:Anthracyclines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008408:Mastectomy; D008670:Metals; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D012074:Remission Induction; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary
chemical_list: D018943:Anthracyclines; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D008670:Metals