title: [Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in breast cancer].
abstract: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer was originally used in locally advanced inoperable disease in order to achieve surgical resection. It was then extended to operable breast cancer with a view to downstaging tumors to facilitate breast-conserving surgery. Long-term results from randomized studies have shown no difference in disease-free or overall survival between neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy. The main benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy is its ability to downstage large tumors with a view to treatment by breast-conserving surgery. Since pathological complete response is thought to be main factor to achieve long-term survival, development of new agent or novel combination treatment is needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Tokyo Metropolitan Komagome Hospital.
authors.forename: Eiji
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Masakazu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Toi
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic