Adjuvant systemic therapy for operable breast cancer

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women in England and Wales. Systemic adjuvant therapy for breast cancer reduces recurrence and mortality both in early and advanced breast cancer. This review primarily looks at the role of adjuvant systemic therapy following surgery. Chemotherapy and hormonal therapy has changed dramatically in the last few decades with the advent of newer aromatase inhibitors and newer chemotherapy drugs like taxol. Monoclonal antibodies targeted against breast cancer cells like trastuzumab are gaining ground recently in the adjuvant settings. In this article we have reviewed the recent evidences for the appropriate adjuvant therapy in operable breast cancer.