Strong, feasible thesis topics

1. Accuracy and outcomes of targeted axillary dissection after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in initially node-positive breast cancer
   • Compare pathology results, axillary recurrence, lymphedema, shoulder function, and quality of life.
   • Highly relevant because axillary surgery is increasingly being de-escalated.
2. Predictors of pathological complete response after neoadjuvant systemic therapy in HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancer
   • Retrospective or prospective cohort.
   • Variables: clinical stage, receptor subtype, Ki-67, imaging response, regimen, and treatment completion.
   • Straightforward, high-yield, and practical.
3. Oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery versus conventional breast-conserving surgery: margin status, re-excision, complications, cosmetic outcome, and patient-reported quality of life
   • Excellent surgical thesis topic if your unit performs oncoplastic procedures regularly.
4. Role of breast MRI after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in predicting residual tumor size and guiding breast-conserving surgery
   • Compare MRI with final histopathology.
   • Useful if your center has reliable MRI access and radiology collaboration.
5. Patterns and predictors of residual axillary nodal disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in clinically node-positive breast cancer
   • Can identify patients most likely to benefit from axillary dissection versus less invasive axillary staging.
6. Impact of surgical delay after completion of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on pathologic response and survival outcomes
   • Retrospective database study.
   • Particularly relevant in high-volume public hospitals where treatment delays occur.
7. Clinical outcomes of breast conservation after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for initially large or locally advanced breast cancer
   • Outcomes: margin positivity, local recurrence, disease-free survival, cosmetic result, and reoperation rate.
8. Validation of the Residual Cancer Burden score as a predictor of survival in patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy
   • Needs pathology support and reasonable follow-up.
   • Scientifically strong but more data-intensive.
9. Post-mastectomy complications and quality of life after immediate versus delayed breast reconstruction
   • Assess surgical-site infection, implant/flap loss, delays to adjuvant therapy, and BREAST-Q outcomes.
10. Impact of obesity, diabetes, smoking, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy on wound complications after breast cancer surgery

• Very feasible retrospective thesis with actionable local implications.

1. Feasibility and outcomes of sentinel lymph-node biopsy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in clinically node-negative breast cancer

• Include identification rate, false-negative rate if completion ALND is available, and regional recurrence.

1. Discordance between core biopsy receptor profile and surgical specimen receptor profile after neoadjuvant treatment

• ER, PR, HER2, and Ki-67 changes, with impact on adjuvant treatment decisions.

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