Performance of sentinel lymph node biopsy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in clinically node-positive breast cancer patients: systematic review and meta-analysis

Our findings support the feasibility and accuracy of SLNB after NACT in initially node-positive breast cancer patients, that converted to clinically node-negative when performed in properly selected cases. SLNB offers a less invasive approach in selected patients sparing them the morbidity associated with ALND. This approach aligns with efforts to de-escalate surgical management in breast cancer and reinforces that SLNB post-NACT should be incorporated into clinical practice, provided that stringent patient selection and procedural standards are maintained.