What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate axillary treatment strategies in breast cancer patients who transition from clinically node-positive to pathologically node-negative after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

March 1, 2026Open Access

Axillary treatment options in clinically nodes-positive breast cancer whose nodes become pathologically nodes-negative after neoadjuvant chemotherapy: a pairwise and network meta-analysis.

Key Points

To evaluate axillary treatment strategies in breast cancer patients who transition from clinically node-positive to pathologically node-negative after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Conducted a pairwise and network meta-analysis of axillary treatments
Compared outcomes for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and conventional approaches
Utilized retrospective data sources for analysis
SLNB showed the highest ranking for overall survival in the network meta-analysis
Tailored strategies yielded comparable survival outcomes to conventional treatments
Findings underscore the need for ongoing prospective studies with long-term follow-up

Abstract

In patients with cN + BC who achieve ypN0 status after NAC, tailored axillary strategies yielded survival outcomes comparable to conventional approaches. SLNB ranked highest for OS in the NMA, supporting its role as an effective and less invasive option in appropriately selected patients. However, these findings are largely based on retrospective data. Prospective studies with long-term follow-up are needed for confirmation.

Axillary treatment options in clinically nodes-positive breast cancer whose nodes become pathologically nodes-negative after neoadjuvant chemotherapy: a pairwise and network meta-analysis.

Key Points

Abstract

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