Chemotherapy in the treatment of breast carcinoma
Conti, F.; Vici, P.
Tumori 89(4 Suppl): 181-182
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-8916 PMID: 12903586 Document Number: 565688
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy and the second most common cause of cancer-related death in Western European and North American women. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy may be used in the management of both BC patients with locally advanced disease, and those with earlier stage and operable tumors. Data from recently phase III trials and worldwide consensus conference document the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in improving disease free survival and overall survival for patients diagnosed with invasive BC > 1 cm. When BC cells metastasize to distant organs, the disease is incurable, but chemotherapy may offer these patients a significant palliation.