RESUMO
Objective: to determine the frequency of pathological complete response [pCR] with neo adjuvant doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide in locally advanced breast cancer [LABC]
Material and Methods: this prospective study was conducted in 92 patients of locally advanced breast cancer. Pathological response was evaluated on modified radical mastectomy [MRM] samples that were performed after 4 cycles of neo adjuvant doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide
Results: the mean age of the study population was 45.63 years. Among these 38 patients [41.3%] had stage T3 lesion, 53 [57.6%] had T4 and only one patient [1.1 %] had T1 at presentation. Ninety patients [97.82%] were with grade 2 and grade 3 tumors. Post anthracycline based NACT 8 [8.7%] patients had pathological complete response, 50 [54.3%] had partial response, 34 [37%] had stable disease. Overall 58 [63%] patients had responded to this treatment
Conclusion: anthracycline based NACT is a good option for patients with locally advanced breast cancer in developing countries. The results are not comparable with developed countries but better results can be achieved if these patients present at an early stage or taxanes based NACT is used to improve the response