Overall , 264 previously untreated stage II-III operable breast cancer patients were randomized to receive either standard treatment ( arm A , n = 131 ) , consisting of fluorouracil , epirubicin , and cyclophosphamide ( FEC100 : 500 , 100 , and 500 mg/m ( 2 ) , respectively , for 3 cycles ) followed by docetaxel ( 100 mg/m ( 2 ) for 3 cycles ) , or adapted treatment ( arm B , n = 133 ) , beginning with 2 cycles of FEC100 and switching to docetaxel if tumor size decreased by < 30 % after 2 cycles or < 50 % after 4 cycles of FEC100 ( ultrasound assessments according to World Health Organization criteria ) .