Onkologie. 2015:9(2):70-73

Question marks in neoadjuvant systemic treatment of breast cancer

Renata Neumanová

Oddělení radiační a klinické onkologie Nemocnice Znojmo

Being both morphologically and genetically very heterogenous disease, breast cancer requires strictly individulal treatment approach. One

of possible treatment strategies is to start the therapy with neoadjuvant systemic treatment. This was originally designated only for locally

advanced disease, in which primary surgery was excluded, it has been possible to use it also in high risk patients with early stage disease recently.

The goal of this treatment was to turn inoperable tumors into operable or convert radical operation into breast saving surgery, to eliminate

micrometastases and also to achieve longer survival in women with more advanced disease. This hypothesis hasn´t been confirmed yet (NSABP

B18 study). There are nevertheless many question marks connected with the administration of initial systemic therapy and its effect on the

tumour (mostly primarilly operable), dealing with the selection of suitable patients, appropriate chemotherapy regimen and the indication of

subsequent adjuvant chemotherapy. At the end of the work there are summarised both advantages and disadvantages of primary systemic

treatment administration and it is possible to conclude that in correctly indicated patients the benefits exceed possible risks.

in adjuvant chemotherapy.

Keywords: breast cancer, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, predictive factors, overal survival, breast conserving surgery, question marks

Published: April 10, 2015  Show citation