Should the findings change treatment protocol in women under 35?
The researchers did not compare neoadjuvant chemotherapy to other treatments, but study author Loibl said chemotherapy early "may be a good idea" in younger patients.
For her part, Ganz said the findings do not change treatment recommendations, but they do help explain the differences in disease characteristics in younger women and show that they actually may benefit from chemotherapy.
"The decision to use neoadjuvant therapy is based on the size of the tumor and the woman's desire for possible breast conservation," Ganz said. "Studies have not shown any survival benefit by giving the same chemotherapy before, instead of after, breast surgery."
Research presented at medical meetings should be considered preliminary because it hasn't undergone a peer-review process.
More information
Learn more about breast cancer care at the American Cancer Society.
Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Reader Comments (