ACOSOG Z1071: A Phase II Study Evaluating the Role of Sentinel Lymph Node Surgery and Axillary Lymph Node Dissection Following Preoperative Chemotherapy in Women with Node Positive Breast Cancer (T1-4, N1-2, M0) at Initial Diagnosis.

Summary:
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of sentinel (first lymph node to receive drainage from tumor) lymph node dissection (SLND) surgery and axillary (armpit) lymph node dissection (ALND) surgery after chemotherapy in subjects with breast cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes in the breast area.  ALND is a procedure that removes all of the axillary lymph nodes while SLND is a procedure that locates and removes just the first few lymph nodes that drain lymphatic fluid from the area around the breast.  This study will also determine the effectiveness of an axillary ultrasound examination in identifying cancer remaining in the lymph nodes after chemotherapy and if it can be used to identify subjects who would benefit from a SLND procedure.

Eligibility and Treatment Plan:

1. Female with breast cancer.
2. 18 years of age or older.
3. Preoperative chemotherapy must be completed or planned for patient.
4. No prior ipsilateral (same-side) axillary surgery.
5. No prior SLN surgery/excisional lymph node biopsy for pathological confirmation of axillary status.

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