Systemic Treatment for Patients with Early-Stage Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women in Korea and its incidence is rapidly increasing. Perioperative systemic treatment plays a critical role in achieving a cure for early-stage breast cancer. With the introduction of novel systemic agents, treatment outcomes have improved and perioperative strategies have become increasingly diverse. In addition to conventional anthracycline- and taxane-based chemotherapies, targeted therapies and/or immunotherapy have expanded the options to both neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings. Increasing numbers of (neo) novel adjuvant agents and post-neoadjuvant treatments have demonstrated survival benefits, supporting more individualized perioperative treatment approaches in patients with early breast cancer.