European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background : Introduction of neo adjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) has dramatically changed the management of locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). However, very few randomized trials of NACT have been carried out specifically in LABC patients in our country. In this retrospective analysis, we presented our experience with NACT in LABC patients.
Materials and Methods : Seventy patients diagnosed with locally advanced breast cancer were enrolled in this prospective study. After thorough preoperative workup, patients were either taken up for upfront surgery or neo adjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery. Post chemotherapy clinical response of the tumor and post operative histo pathological evaluation of the specimen was performed.
Results : The mean age of the patients in our study was 45 years. Out of 70 patients, 18 underwent upfront surgery and 52 received neo adjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery. A total of 44 cases had a clinical response to chemotherapy with 9% having a complete response. The incidence of margin positivity in the postoperative specimen was significantly lower in patients who received neo adjuvant chemotherapy.
Conclusion: Locally advanced breast cancer accounted for the predominant number of breast cancer patients mostly females in their middle age. Neo adjuvant chemotherapy was effective in down staging the tumor in the majority of cases, although complete clinical response was lower in our study. The rate of margin positivity in mastectomy specimens can also be reduced if chemotherapy is considered prior to mastectomy.