[Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To study the value and indications of a neo-adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancers.


METHODS
Forty-three breast cancer patients were given the NF neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (Navelbine 25 mg/m2 and 5-Fu 500 mg/m2) for 3 cycles before the operation. Epirubicin (EPI 40 mg/m2) was added in patients with locally advanced lesions. G-CSF 75 micrograms subcutaneous injection was used to increase the white count as needed.


RESULTS
The overall response rate was 95.0%. Pre-operative neo-adjuvant chemotherapy showed CR in 3 patients (7.5%) and PR in 35 patients (87.5%) even though 2 patients (5.0%) were refractory. The follow-up ranged from 4 to 37 months (median 20 months). All patients are alive though 4 have developed recurrence or metastasis.


CONCLUSIONS
The pre-operative neo-adjuvant chemotherapy may preferably be given in 3 cycles from which those who benefit most are the breast cancer patients with inoperable lesions and who are planned to undergo breast-preserving surgery.
Shi
J
J
Changhai Hospital, Shanghai 200433, China.
Fang
G
G
Sheng
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077235:Vinorelbine
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015251:Epirubicin; D014747:Vinblastine; D000077235:Vinorelbine; D005472:Fluorouracil