Preoperative therapy: recent findings

Preoperative systemic therapy (PST) is the standard treatment for locally advanced breast cancer and a standard option for primary operable breast cancer. PST for breast cancer is as effective as postoperative adjuvant therapy, which permits more lumpectomies and can be used to study breast cancer biology. For locally advanced breast cancer patients, the primary aim of PST is to improve surgical option. For operable breast cancer patients, the primary aim of PST is to obtain freedom from disease. Because of recent advances in treatment and our understanding of the disease, we summarized the current consensus on the adoption and benefits of PST, especially for operable breast cancer patients.