Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancers

Womens Health (Lond). 2016 Sep;12(5):480-491. doi: 10.1177/1745505716677139.

Abstract

With advances in science and technology, there are more innovations in the approach to management of patients with breast cancer. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy that is designed to be used prior to surgical removal of a tumor has received significant attention. Currently, neoadjuvant chemotherapy is offered to patients with locally advanced breast cancer and also those breast cancer patients who may benefit from size reduction before conservation therapy. There is now sufficient evidence that if neoadjuvant chemotherapy leads to complete pathologic response, the patient will enjoy a better outcome. Therefore, assessment of the degree of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy has a major impact on patient selection and the follow-up management of each patient and defines patient outcome.

Keywords: breast cancer; breast pathology report; neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Lobular / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Lobular / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Lobular / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mastectomy*
  • Mastectomy, Segmental
  • Neoadjuvant Therapy / methods*
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Prognosis
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / metabolism
  • Receptors, Estrogen / metabolism
  • Receptors, Progesterone / metabolism
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tumor Burden

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Receptors, Progesterone
  • ERBB2 protein, human
  • Receptor, ErbB-2