Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Stage II–III Breast Cancer: A Single-center Experience

Abstract

Abstract Introduction We conducted this study to reflect a single-center experience with the use of neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy for the management of women with operable breast cancer. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review on all women presenting with operable, stage II-III, breast cancer and were scheduled for neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy at Suez Canal University Hospital. The primary outcome of this study was to estimate the proportion of patients with operable breast cancer who become eligible for breast conservative surgery (CBS) after neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy. Results A total of 147 patients were included. Before the initiation of chemotherapy, only 66 (44.9%) patients were indicated for breast conservative surgery (CBS). A total of 40 (50.6%) new patients, out of the 81 patients who were ineligible before chemotherapy, became eligible for breast conservative surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (95% CI 39.3–61.9%). On the other hand, eight (12.1%) patients became ineligible for breast conservative surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Out of the 98 eligible patients for breast conservative surgery after chemotherapy, 72 (73.5%) patients underwent the surgery, and the remaining 26 patients chose total modified radical mastectomy (MRM). A total of 55 (76.4%) patients achieved pathological complete response (pCR). One woman (0.1%) experienced relapse at the 3rd year of follow-up and three women (2%) experienced relapse at the 5th year of follow-up. The difference between patients who underwent breast conservative surgery and total mastectomy was not statistically significant (p = 0.22 and 0.07, respectively). Conclusion Neoadjuvant chemotherapy can play a crucial role in increasing the rate of eligibility for breast conservative surgery among women with operable, stage II-III, breast cancer.