The importance of the multidisciplinary team in the decision-making process of patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recent literature suggests that rates of breast conservation surgery (BCS) are lower than expected in patients submitted to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for breast cancer. The aim of this study was to underscore the role of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) in the decision-making process of patients who underwent breast surgery after NAC. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study on patients with breast cancer treated according to an algorithm developed at the Breast Unit of Northern Sardinia between January 2019 and May 2023. Data collected included demographics, tumor characteristics, upfront treatment (surgery or NAC), type of primary surgery (BCS or mastectomy [Ma]) and patients' adherence to the treatment proposed by the MDT. RESULTS: Overall, 1061 women were treated during the study period, of whom 164 received NAC (Group A) and 897 upfront surgery (Group B). In group A, conversion from BCS ineligibility to BCS eligibility was observed in 47 patients (40.1%). Final surgery in patients who became BCS-eligible after NAC was BCS in 42 cases (89.3%) and Ma in 5 (10.6%). Rates of patients' adherence to the treatment proposed by the MDT were significantly better in the Group A (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the MDT has a pivotal role in increasing the rates of breast conservation in women submitted to NAC.