Cytotoxic or endocrine primary systemic therapy (PST) for operable large primary breast cancer

Abstract

In 1986 we reported on a technique for assessing primary tumour response to assess the impact of pre-operative systemic therapy for large operable tumours. Careful assessment of tumour response depends on a single observer seeing the patient weekly during the treatment period of 12 weeks. Measurement of primary tumour is made by clinical assessment of the lesion with 8 diameters being taken per week to give precise volumetric data. On a monthly basis, mammographs are performed to correlate against the clinical measurements. The aim of this study then was to obtain a direct objective assay of primary tumour response to systemic therapy and to evaluate the indices of that response. By such technique we hoped to be able to confirm the appropriate systemic therapy which might be used following the definitive surgical procedure performed at 12 weeks.