If tumours that need to be operated are too large, an oncologist might recommend neoadjuvant treatment, meaning chemotherapy before surgery, in order to shrink the tumour.

This treatment can help doctors find out which drugs are effective and which aren't. This type of treatment is considered by some to be more helpful, although nothing has yet been proven.


That is why every patient needs to make very tough decisions regarding the treatment they wish and need to recieve, because, besides the uncertain cure procentage, another important thing is the difference between every cancer case.

Results from a Phase II clinical trial was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. It stated that neoadjuvant treatment with Taxotere, Navelbine, and Herceptin resulted in a complete disappearance of detectable cancer in 39 percent of women with locally advanced HER2 positive breast cancer.

After 2 years, the overall survival was 97% and cancer free survival was 84%.