US-guided implantation of metallic markers for permanent localization of the tumor bed in patients with breast cancer who undergo preoperative chemotherapy

Metallic markers were implanted with ultrasonographic guidance in 51 malign ant breast tumors in 49 patients to tag the tumor bed in anticipation of co mplete or almost complete response to preoperative neoadjuvant induction ch emotherapy before breast-conservation surgery. The markers were the only re maining evidence of the original tumor site in 47% (23 of 49) of the patien ts preoperatively. This technique effectively addresses the problem of preo perative localization of the tumor bed in complete or nearly complete respo nse of breast cancer to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.