Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced breast cancer: a review of the literature and future directions.

Background: Most patients with locally advanced primary breast cancer have micrometastases at the time of presentation. Randomised trials on the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy have not been carried out specifically in a population of breast cancer patients with locally advanced disease (LAPC). Despite this, its use for cytoreduction in these patients is an established option which may facilitate excision of the primary tumour and local lymph node metastasis for local control.