[Neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies for solid tumours]

Abstract

Today adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapies are standard treatment for many types of cancer. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy or immunotherapy applied before, during or after an operation can lower the risk of relapse and hence, increase the chances of a cure. After neoadjuvant therapy, frequently the organ does not have to be removed in the subsequent operation. Depending on the risk of relapse, adjuvant therapies are employed after due consideration of benefit, risk and duration of treatment. In ongoing clinical studies, the possibilities of influencing the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) as well as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are being investigated.