Neodjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer - Perfil of a population in Algarve

Breast Cancer in women is the leading cause of cancer worldwide. Different parameters in breast cancer are evaluated due to their predictive value. Individuals with high-risk metastatic disease are selected for neoadjuvant treatments for better disease control and treatment. A retrospective study, with data retrieved between January 2001 and December 2022 from Centro Hospitalar e Universitário do Algarve-Portimão, was conducted to characterize a population of breast cancer patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy. From a universe of 2336 patients, 276 were included in this study. Of the patients selected, 275 (99,64%) were female and one (0,36%) was male. The mean age was 51,9 ± 12 years. The primary breast cancers identified were hormone receptor subtypes, HR+ (36,33%), HER2+ (8,59%), TNBC (21,09%), triple positive (12,11%), and ER+ (12,11%). The main intrinsic subtypes were Luminal-A (51,17%), Basal-like/TNBC (21,09%) and Luminal-B (19,14%). Our data corroborates with current literature, with HR+ and Luminal-A tumours being the most common subtypes. The HER2+ subtype was not the most widespread subtype in this region, contrary to national data. Breast cancer patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy in our Institution are the focus of interest for this analysis, as they are at greater risk of recurrence and disease progression. Through this study, we have gained a better understanding of our patients and breast cancer, in general.