Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer: a retrospective pathway assessment in a regional cancer centre

The optimal care pathway (OCP) for people with breast cancer provides a framework for investigation and management of patients with breast cancer, with delays previously identified regionally.

With emphasis on the neoadjuvant pathway, the primary aim of this study was to assess the practicality of implementing the breast cancer OCP timeframes regionally in comparison to nationally referenced standards.

A retrospective institutional audit was performed for patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy for breast cancer. The time from referral to specialist review, completion of investigations, discussion at multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings, initiation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and surgery were calculated and compared to OCP.

Fifty-three patients were included, with 19 patients living rurally (36%). Twenty-four patients (45%) were seen by a specialist surgeon within 2 weeks of referral. Following surgical review, 44 patients (83%) completed investigations within 2 weeks, and 43 patient cases (81%) were discussed at MDT meetings within 2 weeks. Forty-eight patients (91%) were commenced on neoadjuvant treatment within 4 weeks of decision to treat, and 43 patients (81%) underwent surgery within 6 weeks of neoadjuvant treatment completion. Delays from initial referral to NACT were more frequent in rural patients compared to urban (79% vs 94%, P < 0.05).

Adherence to OCP timeframes for patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy in a regional centre was feasible and strategies are needed to bridge gaps identified for rural patients.