Chemo before breast cancer operation increases likelihood of breast-preserving procedure

New National Cancer Data Base study is one of the largest to date to analyze the use of chemotherapy before surgical treatment for breast cancer.

Patients with larger malignant tumors of the breast who undergo chemotherapy before a breast cancer operation are more likely to opt for a breast-preserving procedure and forgo a mastectomy (surgical removal of the breast), according to a new study published online as an “article in press” in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. The study will appear in a print edition of the Journal this spring.

From: “EurekAlert!, the online, global news service operated by AAAS, the
science society,” at www.eurekalert.org