Abstract
Background and Objectives: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is used to downstage the tumours in LABC making it amenable to resection. Docetaxel, doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (TAC) and 5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (FAC) are used for Induction chemotherapy. The present study was done to compare the clinical and pathologic response of the two regimens.
Material and Methods: The study was performed in PMCH, Patna over a period of two years from July 2010 to June 2012 and then followed up for a period of five years in 126 patients randomized in two groups of TAC and FAC arms after which they all underwent a modified radical mastectomy. A follow up was done to study and compare the clinical response and toxicity in the two groups.
Results: Most common hematologic toxicity in both groups was neutropenia (33.87% and 23.43% in TAC and FAC arm respectively). TAC arm had better Disease-Free Survival (DFS) than FAC arm (64.28% vs 56.60% in stage IIIA in TAC and FAC arm respectively and 52.94% vs 44.11% in stage IIIB LABC in TAC and FAC arm respectively) at 5 years follow up.
Conclusion: TAC regimen used for neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced breast cancers has a better disease-free survival with lesser systemic toxicity as compared to FAC regimen.
Keywords: TAC regimen, FAC regimen, Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, LABC.
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Corresponding Author
Tanmay Prasad
MCh Resident, Department of Plastic Surgery, RRMCH