[Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer].

OBJECTIVE To study the value and indications of a neo-adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancers. METHODS Forty-three breast cancer patients were given the NF neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (Navelbine 25 mg/m2 and 5-Fu 500 mg/m2) for 3 cycles before the operation. Epirubicin (EPI 40 mg/m2) was added in patients with locally advanced lesions. G-CSF 75 micrograms subcutaneous injection was used to increase the white count as needed. RESULTS The overall response rate was 95.0%. Pre-operative neo-adjuvant chemotherapy showed CR in 3 patients (7.5%) and PR in 35 patients (87.5%) even though 2 patients (5.0%) were refractory. The follow-up ranged from 4 to 37 months (median 20 months). All patients are alive though 4 have developed recurrence or metastasis. CONCLUSION The pre-operative neo-adjuvant chemotherapy may preferably be given in 3 cycles from which those who benefit most are the breast cancer patients with inoperable lesions and who are planned to undergo breast-preserving surgery.