What is neoadjuvant therapy?

Neoadjuvant therapy refers to treatments that are administered before surgical intervention, primarily aimed at reducing the size of a tumor or addressing the extent of the disease. This approach is particularly significant in breast cancer treatment, where the goal is to shrink the tumor enough to allow for less extensive surgery or to make the tumor operable if it initially was not.

By utilizing neoadjuvant therapy, which can include chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or targeted therapy, healthcare providers aim to improve surgical outcomes and potentially increase survival rates. Additionally, this strategy provides the opportunity to assess how well the tumor responds to the treatment before surgery, which can help guide further management post-surgery.

The other options do not accurately describe neoadjuvant therapy. Treatments after surgery would be classified as adjuvant therapy, palliative care focuses on improving quality of life without necessarily curative intent, and radiation therapy during surgery (often referred to as intraoperative radiation therapy) is a distinct procedure that is not synonymous with neoadjuvant therapy. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for proper patient management in breast health.