Foreword

Article Outline

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The concept of neoadjuvant therapy has developed recently and stems from the hypothesis that adjuvant therapy, preceding the primary treatment, is beneficial. Recent randomized trials have shown that neoadjuvant therapy in patients with rectal, breast or laryngeal carcinoma, reduces the size of the primary cancer such that the malignancy can be removed with preservation of the organ harboring it. In this issue of Current Problems in Surgery, Drs. Garces, McAuliffe, Hochwald and Cance from the Department of Surgery at the University of Florida, have written an excellent and timely monograph on the topic of neoadjuvant therapy. Initially, they review the experimental studies, which serve as the basis for clinical neoadjuvant therapy. They then address specific organ malignancies, where neoadjuvant therapy has shown benefit or promise. This is an extremely valuable monograph, which addresses an evolving therapeutic concept, which will certainly be employed with greater frequency in future oncology practice.