adjuvant chemotherapy + ovarian function suppression

Adjuvant chemotherapy + ovarian function suppression is a combination therapeutic approach used primarily in premenopausal women with hormone receptor–positive, early-stage breast cancer. Adjuvant chemotherapy refers to the use of cytotoxic drugs after primary treatment (such as surgery) to eliminate residual cancer cells and reduce recurrence risk. Ovarian function suppression (OFS) involves interventions that suppress or ablate ovarian estrogen production, either through medications such as gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa), surgical oophorectomy, or radiation-induced ablation. The rationale for combining these therapies is twofold: chemotherapy provides direct cytotoxic effects on tumor cells and can induce temporary or permanent amenorrhea, while OFS further reduces estrogen levels that fuel hormone receptor–positive tumors. This combination has been shown to improve disease-free and overall survival in high-risk premenopausal patients when added to endocrine therapy (e.g., tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors)[1][2][3][4][7].