gms | German Medical Science

Neoadjuvant therapy is implemented in a variety of solid cancers for example breast cancer; rectal cancer or is under investigation for some entities for example oesophageal cancer, gastric cancer or pancreatic cancer. In nearly all investigations complete response of the tumours is associated with a better prognosis compared to patients with incomplete or no tumour regression. Nevertheless there are some open questions: -What is the best parameter for the evaluation of response for example theprimarytumour or the regional nodes? -Do we need special regression categories to evaluate the response of the tumour ? -Can we use the incidence of complete remissions as a surrogate parameter for long term survival? -Can we use the regression parameters to select or omit further therapies? For example surgery following complete reponse of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy.