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This Led to Successful Breast Conserving Therapy
Breast Cancer Res Treat; 2016 Nov; Golshan, et al
A number of women with HER2 + breast cancer thought not to be candidates for breast-conserving therapy (BCT) can increase their odds of success with the procedure via neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST), according to a study involving nearly 300 individuals.
Investigators determined the conversion rate from BCT-ineligible to BCT-eligible, the percentage of BCT-eligible patients who chose breast conservation, and the rate of successful BCT. Among the results:
- 6 in every 10 were non-BCT candidates at baseline; 43% of those deemed ineligible converted to NST.
- Among those who converted, two-thirds opted for BCT, and had an 80% success rate.
- Eligibility rate in those deemed ineligible due to tumor size and probable poor cosmetic outcome was increased with NST treatment; it also increased in those with multicentricity, though not as much.
- Patients considered BCT-eligible both at baseline and after NST had a pathologic complete response rate of 55%.
- Those who were BCT-ineligible prior to NST had the same such rate (44%) whether they converted to BCT-eligible or not.
Golshan M, Cirrincione C, Sikov W, et al. Impact of neoadjuvant therapy on eligibility for and frequency of breast conservation in stage II–III HER2-positive breast cancer: Surgical results of CALGB 40601 (Alliance). Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2016;160(2):297-304. doi:10.1007/s10549-016-4006-6.