Neo Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Operable Breast Cancer - A Single Centre Study.

Corresponding Author:
Dr. Bhuyan K.,
Professor,
Department of General Surgery,
GMCH, Guwahati-781032, Assam, India.
E-mail: kanakbhuyan@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in females worldwide. Management of breast cancer has changed over the past several years from radical to more of conservative approaches. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in downsizing large operable breast cancer and feasibility of less radical, breast conservative surgery (BCS).

METHODS

A prospective study of 42 patients with operable breast cancer was carried out over a period of one year. Patients with stage IIIA disease of 18–50 years of age were included. Clinical tumour response to NACT was graded according to the World Health Organization Criteria for clinical tumour response. Loco-regional management consisted of either BCS or Modified Radical Mastectomy (MRM), depending on feasibility and patients’ choice of surgery.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients was 43.73 years. Most of the patients were premenopausal. Statistically significant response was achieved in downsizing the tumour with complete clinical response (cCR) in 12.5%, and partial clinical response (cPR) in 75% patients. BCS became feasible for 68.75% patients post neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy is effective in the management of operable breast cancer. BCS was feasible in majority of cases.

KEY WORDS

Ca Breast, Neo-Adjuvant, BCS, MRM