[Adjuvant for breast cancer chemo-endocrine therapy]

Early detection and improved therapy together have reduced the mortality for breast cancer in the world. A paradox in the management of patients with breast cancer is the observation that the majority appear to be curable at the time of initial surgery, yet a large number later experience relapse followed by death from disease. To combat this problem, systemic drug therapy in conjunction with surgery and radiation therapy is now standard for many patient subgroups, although the specific decision to use hormonal therapy, combination chemotherapy, or both remains complex and controversial. Adjuvant therapy for breast cancer is an area in constant evolution. Randomized clinical trials are the critical step leading to the identification of improved therapies, that will become our new "standards" of management.