What is neoadjuvant therapy for breast cancer?

Neoadjuvant therapy is the pre-operative treatment of tumours with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and endocrine therapy. It was originally used for its impact on surgery, downstaging tumours, and allowing breast-conserving surgery rather than mastectomy.

What drugs are used for neoadjuvant chemotherapy?

Adjuvant and neoadjuvant drugs

Anthracyclines, such as doxorubicin (Adriamycin) and epirubicin (Ellence)
Taxanes, such as paclitaxel (Taxol) and docetaxel (Taxotere)
5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or capecitabine.
Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)
Carboplatin (Paraplatin)

Which are advantages of neoadjuvant treatment?

The advantages of neoadjuvant chemotherapy are 1) overall survival and recurrence-free survival rate are the same as post-operative chemotherapy, 2) serves as an in vivo sensitivity test, 3) increases the rate of breast conserving therapy, 4) facilitates the study of cancer biology.

Is neoadjuvant chemotherapy successful?

In patients with locally advanced breast cancer without inflammatory disease who were breast-conserving therapy candidates after neoadjuvant therapy, the overall 5-year survival is an astounding 96%. In fact, even in the patients with inflammatory breast cancer there is an impressive 67% survival.

What is the difference between neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy?

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is delivered before surgery with the goal of shrinking a tumor or stopping the spread of cancer to make surgery less invasive and more effective. Adjuvant chemotherapy is administered after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells with the goal of reducing the chances of recurrence.

How is neoadjuvant chemotherapy administered?

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is administered in cycles, with each cycle consisting of a treatment period followed by a resting phase. Chemotherapy agents are given orally or intravenously in cycles spanning between 3 to 6 months.

Is Taxol easier than Adriamycin and Cytoxan?

While some of the side effects for Taxol will overlap with Adriamycin and Cytoxan, my doctor tells me Taxol is typically much easier on bodies than A/C treatment.

What is the goal of neoadjuvant chemotherapy?

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (also known as preoperative or induction chemotherapy) is used in patients to decrease the size of the tumor to allow for breast conservation surgery or to allow for surgery of locally advanced tumors (stage III) that are otherwise inoperable.

How soon after neoadjuvant chemo do most get surgery?

Conclusion: Our patients showed improved pCR if surgery was performed within 8 weeks, especially for ER+/HER-2+ patients. All patients had better OS and DFS trends if surgery was performed between 4 and 7 weeks after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Who should get neoadjuvant chemotherapy?

The best candidates for neoadjuvant chemotherapy are patients with ER-negative and/or HER2-positive expressing tumors whose pathologically complete response (pCR) rates can approach 65% and predict long-term survival.

Why does breast cancer treatment always include chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is used after surgery to remove the breast cancer to get rid of any cancer cells that may be left behind and to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back. In some cases, chemotherapy may be used before surgery to shrink the tumor so less tissue needs to be removed.

How is chemotherapy given when treating breast cancer?

Chemotherapy for breast cancer uses drugs to target and destroy breast cancer cells. These drugs are usually given directly into a vein through a needle or as a pill. Chemotherapy for breast cancer frequently is used in addition to other treatments, such as surgery, radiation or hormone therapy.

Is there a place for neoadjuvant chemotherapy?

The Johns Hopkins Breast Center provides treatment for breast cancer that may include neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy.

How many chemo treatments are needed for breast cancer?

TC is one of the most commonly prescribed breast cancer chemotherapy drugs for women with early-stage breast cancer. This therapy has fewer serious side effects than AC chemotherapy. TC chemotherapy typically consists of four to six treatments, one every three weeks, by IV.