Concomitant intensive chemoradiotherapy induction in non-metastatic inflammatory breast cancer: long-term follow-up

Br J Cancer. 2007 Oct 8;97(7):883-7. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6603987. Epub 2007 Sep 18.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate with a long follow-up the efficacy of concomitant chemoradiotherapy in non-metastatic inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) and to evaluate the breast conservation rate. Between 1990 and 2000, 66 non-metastatic patients with IBC were treated with chemotherapy and concomitant irradiation. The induction chemotherapy consisted of epirubicine, cyclophosphamide and vindesine, in association with split-course bi-fractionated irradiation to a total dose of 65 Gy with concomitant cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. Maintenance chemotherapy consisted of high-dose methotrexate and six cycles of epirubicine, cyclophosphamide and fluorouracil. Hormonal treatment was given if indicated. Mastectomy was not systemic. Among 65 evaluable patients, 57 (87.6%) achieved a complete clinical response and had a breast conservation. Only six loco regional relapses were noted in six patients with a delay of 20 months and with concomitant metastatic dissemination in four cases. Median disease-free survival (DFS) was 28 months. Median overall survival (OS) was 63 months and median follow-up was 55.5 months. Induction chemotherapy and concomitant irradiation is feasible in patients with IBC, permitting a breast conservation with a high rate of local control with an OS comparable to that of the best recent series.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / radiotherapy
  • Carcinoma, Lobular / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Lobular / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Lobular / radiotherapy
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Dose Fractionation, Radiation
  • Epirubicin / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Menopause
  • Middle Aged
  • Remission Induction
  • Survival Rate
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Epirubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Cisplatin
  • Fluorouracil