Optimal timing of surgery following breast cancer neoadjuvant chemotherapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined whether the timing of surgery post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) impacted overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS). Five studies (including 8794 patients) were eligible for inclusion. Patients who had surgery <8 weeks post-NACT had significantly improved OS (OR 0.47) and DFS (OR 0.71). Furthermore, there were no survival advantages in having surgery <4 weeks post-NACT with no difference in pCR rate between those that had surgery <4 weeks and 4-8 weeks post-NACT.

Classifications: Adjuvant & Neoadjuvant Treatment

Keywords: Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy/ NACT Breast Surgery