Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is given before the primary therapy for breast cancer which is surgery. A woman might receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer in order to shrink the tumor which cannot be operated in the current state. Usually after the chemotherapy, surgery is performed. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is therefore very vital to undertake in most  cases to minimize the complexities of a surgery.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is given in the same way as adjuvant chemotherapy. If a tumor does not shrink or continues to grown even while neoadjuvant chemotherapy is on, the doctors might stop the treatment or even try another type of chemotherapy or they might also directly perform the surgery directly, depending upon the cancer stage.

Research is still on to find if hormonal treatment for breast cancer  or transtuzumab could be used before surgery to minimize the size of the cancerous tumor.

Side Effects of Neoadjuvant Therapy:

The side effect of neoadjuvant therapy depends upon the type of therapy that is given to a patient. Here are a few side effects:

• Chemotherapy: The side effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy depend upon the drugs prescribed to a patient. The side effects also differ from person to person. Anti-cancer drugs rapidly affect the blood cells that fight infection, carry oxygen to different parts of the body as well as the cells that causes the blood to clot. Patients taking anti-cancer drugs bleed easily, get infections, bruises and also have less energy during the treatment. The cells in the digestive tract and hair follicles also divide rapidly. So patients may also experience loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and hair loss as well.Doctors prescribe medicines to control vomiting and nausea caused by chemotherapy. They also monitor other signs and if they feel that the patient’s body cannot adapt to the medications, they reduce the dosage or even reschedule the treatment. Women who have lower resistance to infection are asked to avoid crowded places or be in touch with people who are sick and have colds. Chemotherapy drugs side effects are mostly short term and treatable. They go away after the treatment is over. However anthracyclines might lead to heart problems in some cases. Doctors should therefore closely monitor the patients who are prescribed anthracycline for any heart problems.
• Hormonal therapy: The side effects of tamozifen are in a way similar to the menopause symptoms. The common side effects are hot flashes, nausea and vaginal discharge. Tamoxifen might also increase the risk of the development of cataract. But not all women who take tamoxifen show these side effects. The side effects do not require medical attention most of the time.
• Transtuzumab: The side effects from trastuzumab may include vomiting, nausea, hot flashes and joint pain. Transtuzumab might also increase the chances of getting heart disease. The hearts ability to pump blood is also lessened so doctors have to keep a close watch on the function of the patient’s heart during and after the treatment.
• Radiation therapy: The skin treated by radiation becomes red, dry, tender and itchy. The breast might also feel very heavy and tight. These problems and symptoms go away in the course of time. Women who receive radiation therapy also become very tired especially after a few weeks from the treatment.

The side effects of neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies including neoadjuvant chemotherapy are almost the same. You can read more about the advantages and disadvanstages of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Doctors have to make sure that the patient is felt at ease and cope up well with the side effects as well as during the entire treatment of chemotherapy. Although the mentioned therapies have certain side effects but it is beneficial for the patient for long term survival, to lead a healthy life.

Doctors and scientist are still undergoing a lot of research called clinical trial to treat breast cancer effectively.