Omission of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB ) in Early Breast Cancer Patients with Clinically Assessed Negative Axillary Lymph Nodes (cN0): a Phase II, Prospective Clinical Trial
The OMSLNB trial adopts a prospective, single-arm, non-inferiority, phase-II, open-label study design. Patients with unilateral invasive breast cancer （tumor ≤3cm） and assessed as cN0 will be eligible for inclusion, enrolled patients are required to complete 2 or more imaging tests including axillary ultrasound assessed as axillary lymph node negative, and other tests including MRI, PET-CT, \[18F\]-FDG PET-MRI, eligible patients will avoid axillary surgery but will undergo breast surgery, which is not limited to breast-conserving surgery (BCS). So as to decrease the edema of upper arm, and finally improve the quality of life of the patients.
• Female patients aged 18-70 years;
• Pathologically confirmed invasive breast cancer (regardless of pathological type) with a tumor diameter ≤ 3 cm, and planning to undergo breast surgery;
• Negative axillary lymph nodes assessed by physical examination and imaging (2 or more of the following tests including ultrasound, breast MRI, breast PET-CT, breast PET-MRI, breast PET);
• All patients are required to undergo immunohistochemical staining for Estrogen Receptor (ER), Progesterone Receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), Ki-67 proliferation index, and further fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) should be performed in HER2 2+ cases;
• Good compliance, normal comprehension and ability to receive treatment and follow-up as required;
• ECOG score 0-1;
• Patients volunteered for this study and signed the informed consent form.