Rates of major complications during neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy for early breast cancer: An off study population

Breast. 2016 Dec:30:13-18. doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2016.07.019. Epub 2016 Aug 29.

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the incidence and risk factors for thromboembolic events (TE) and febrile neutropenia (FN) in patients receiving systemic chemotherapy for early breast cancer (EBC).

Methods: 325 patients received FEC75, FEC100-T or ECaP for EBC in 2013.

Results: TE occurred in 7.4% and FN in 19.1% of patients. Risk factors for TE were: central venous catheter (p = 0.011). Risk factors for FN were: FEC100-T treatment versus FEC75 and ECaP (p ≤ 0.001); lower pre-treatment neutrophil count (p = 0.009) and poorer performance status (p = 0.012). Two patients died from treatment-related toxicities.

Conclusion: In real-world experience, the majority of patients completed adequate treatment, despite significant complications.

Keywords: Adjuvant chemotherapy; Early breast cancer (EBC); Febrile neutropenia; Neoadjuvant chemotherapy; Thromboembolic events; Treatment related toxicity.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Coronary Syndrome / epidemiology*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Lobular / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Lobular / pathology
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / adverse effects
  • Chemotherapy-Induced Febrile Neutropenia / epidemiology*
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Docetaxel
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Epirubicin / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Mastectomy
  • Mastectomy, Segmental
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoadjuvant Therapy / adverse effects
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Paclitaxel / administration & dosage
  • Pulmonary Embolism / epidemiology*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
  • Stroke / epidemiology*
  • Taxoids / administration & dosage
  • Thromboembolism / epidemiology
  • Venous Thrombosis / epidemiology*

Substances

  • Taxoids
  • Docetaxel
  • Epirubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Paclitaxel
  • Fluorouracil

Supplementary concepts

  • FEC protocol