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Introduction: A controversial aspect of breast cancer management is the use of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients requiring neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT). This paper discusses the detection rate (DT) and false negatives (FN) of SLNB after NCT to investigate the influence of initial nodal disease and the protocols applied., Methods: Prospective observational multicenter study in women with breast cancer, treated with NCT and SLNB post-NCT with subsequent lymphadenectomy. DT and FN rates were calculated, both overall and depending on the initial nodal status or the use of diagnostic protocols pre-SLNB., Results: No differences in DT between initial node-negative cases and positive cases were found (89.8 vs. 84.4%, P=.437). Significant differences were found (94.1 vs. 56.5%, P=0,002) in the negative predictive value, which was lower when there was initial lymph node positivity, and a higher rate of FN, not significant (18.2 vs. 43.5%, P=.252) in the same cases. The axillary study before SLNB and after the NCT, significantly decreased the rate of FN in patients with initial involvement (55.6 vs 12.5, P=0,009)., Conclusions: NCT means less DT and a higher rate of FN in subsequent SLNB, especially if there is initial nodal involvement. The use of protocols in axillary evaluation after administering the NCT and before BSGC, decreases the FN rate in these patients., (Copyright © 2013 AEC. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Unlabelled: The sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is currently the procedure of choice for axillary node staging in initial stages of breast cancer. The purpose of this study is to establish our false negative rate within a 5-year follow-up period in 258 patients with breast cancer staged with this procedure., Methods: A retrospective study on 258 consecutive T1-T2<3 cm pN0 staged breast carcinomas treated from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2005 was performed. The combined technique of isotope plus blue dye was used for detection. The subjects underwent a minimum follow-up of 5 years, mean 81 months, with an end of follow-up at December 31, 2010. Evidence of axillary recurrence, tumor recurrence in the breast and signs of disease progression or death were the events collected and analyzed., Results: Of the 258 patients, 3 false negatives (1.1%) with axillary recurrence were detected at 10, 11 and 29 months of the surgery. This did not have a significant repercussion in the survival analysis on the contrary to the existence of breast recurrence or the appearance of distant metastasis in 4.7% and 6.2% patients, respectively. Global survival related with the cancer was 93.0 (240/258) and disease free survival was 89.1% (230/258)., Conclusion: The risk of developing axillary recurrence after a negative SLN without axillary node dissection is low enough to consider the SLN procedure to be the best approach for axilla staging in early breast cancer. This staging technique also makes it possible to achieve local disease control without diminishing the survival of the patients., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier España, S.L. y SEMNIM. All rights reserved.)

Women who require or desire mastectomy for breast cancer one option should be immediate breast reconstruction. Skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) describes the surgery that maximises breast skin and infra- mammary fold preservation, significantly improves the symmetry and natural appearance and a more satisfied patient. In multiple studies, SSM seems to be oncologically safe in patients undergoing mastectomy for invasive T1-T2 tumours, multicentric tumours, ductal carcinoma in situ or risk-reduction. However, the technique should be avoided in patients with inflammatory breast cancer or in those with extensive tumour involvement of the skin. SSM with nipple areola complex preservation appears to be oncologically safe, providing that the tumour is not close to the nipple and the retro-areolar tissue is free of tumour. Though adjuvant radiotherapy is not an absolute contraindication to SSM, it should be used with caution since it decreases the final cosmetic result.

Introduction: The optimal treatment of breast cancer consists of a multidisciplinary approach in specialized units, benefitting patients and leading to more rational resource use. Based on these premises, the European Society of Mastology (EUSOMA) drew up recommendations designed to provide all European countries with high-quality multidisciplinary teams., Material and Method: We present and analyze the results obtained from a survey of breast cancer units in 241 Spanish hospitals performed by the Breast Diseases Group of the Spanish Association of Surgeons., Results: Breast disease was treated in general surgery departments in 131 hospitals and Spanish surgeons showed strong interest in continuing training (41.2% had a postgraduate degree in mastology). Multidisciplinary discussions at weekly intervals took place in 95 hospitals (73.6%) hospitals for planning a diagnostic and therapeutic course of action specific for each patient. Written protocols for diagnosis and treatment were used in 119 departments (90.8%) and quality control measures were applied in 83 (63.4%)., Conclusions: We stress the need for mandatory requirements in Spain for breast cancer units, preferably adapted to the EUSOMA criteria, which are accepted by the relevant committee of the European Parliament. Through its Breast Diseases Group, the Spanish Association of Surgeons should be involved in accreditation standards for breast surgeons and should promote adequate specialization programs.