Positive Node Traced Before Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy (NAC)
Positive Node Traced Before Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy (NAC)
To investigate this regression model by injecting and tracing carbon nanoparticles (CNs) into
 the fusion node prior to NAC in patients with breast cancer.
Guided by ultrasound, 0.3 mL of CNs suspension was injected in a fusion node prior to NAC in
 110 patients with local advanced breast cancer. Patients underwent breast surgery and total
 axillary lymph node dissection following 2-6 cycles of NAC. The distribution by
 intercostobrachial nerves (ICBN) of positive nodes, black-stained nodes and lymphovascular
 invasion was investigated by response to NAC.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  invasive ductal carcinoma diagnosed by biopsy;

 -  clinically positive node diagnosed by contrast enhance computer tomography (CECT), the
 number of strengthened nodes at Level I ≥ 1 with the longest diameter of the
 strengthened node ≥ 2cm;

 -  NAC regimen followed the NCCN guideline;

 -  no prior history of breast cancer or other malignancies.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  the cycle number of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy is equal to or less than 2