Evaluating the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on surgical outcomes in breast cancer patients: a systematic review...

As a systematic review, this study addresses a gap in the literature by evaluating both the short-term and long-term outcomes of breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). The purpose of the current study was to evaluate NAC's impact on breast cancer patients' surgical outcomes. We performed a comprehensive search of international databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Science Direct, covering studies from 2000 to 2023, using carefully selected keywords. Our search strategy aimed to capture a wide variety of relevant studies. To ensure a structured and unbiased selection, we followed PRISMA guidelines throughout the process. We concentrated on identifying studies that reported on short-term outcomes, like surgical complications (e.g., operation time, blood loss), as well as long-term outcomes, including overall survival, tumor size reduction, metastasis rates, breast conservation surgery, and recurrence rates. The findings highlighted the benefits of NAC in terms of lower recurrence and metastasis rates. The results also emphasized the significance of considering tumor characteristics and nodal involvement for prognostication in this patient population. The findings of this study will contribute to a better understanding of the impact of NAC on surgical outcomes in breast cancer patients, providing valuable insights for treatment planning and optimizing patient care.