Tumour localisation with a metal coil before the administration of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy

Complete clinical response (CR) with tumour disappearance is not uncommon after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for locally advanced breast cancer, avoiding 25% mastectomies by facilitating breast-conserving procedures. We reviewed our series to understand the feasibility and utility of marking the cancer site before administering NAC. In total, 23 women (median age 47 years) with T2-4, N0-1, M0 tumours were considered unsuitable for breast conserving surgery between January 2002 and November 2003, thus received NAC following a coil placement at the core of tumour. All patients had the coil successfully inserted and no migration or infection was recorded. Eight patients (35%) had a radiological CR (rCR) including 3 (13%) with pathological CR (pCR). In total, 87% patients were managed conservatively. The insertion of a metal coil is a simple mean to provide a landmark for localisation and excision when the breast lump becomes impalpable and radiologically undetectable after the administration of NAC.