Successful multimodal treatment of a breast cancer patient with a recurrence invading the chest wall

J Chemother. 2011 Feb;23(1):49-52. doi: 10.1179/joc.2011.23.1.49.

Abstract

We describe successful operative management of a solitary breast cancer metastasis in the chest wall after complete response with concomitant non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (NPLD) and docetaxel followed by sternal rib resection with prosthetic reconstruction. We report a case of a 41-year-old woman who had a breast cancer recurrence infiltrating neighboring osteo-cartilage of the left sternal body, the cartilaginous portion of the third and fourth ipsilateral ribs and was inseparable from the rear side pectoral reaching deep into contiguity with the pericardium. After 6 cycles of chemotherapy with NPLD plus docetaxel, sternal rib resection with prosthetic reconstruction was performed. Histological examination did not show any evidence of residual tumor. At 9 months of follow-up, the patient appears free of disease. Our case demonstrates that a multimodal approach in patients with chest wall recurrence of breast cancer without distant metastasis, may be safe and effective for maintaining a good quality of life.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Docetaxel
  • Doxorubicin / administration & dosage
  • Doxorubicin / analogs & derivatives
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / surgery*
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures / methods
  • Polyethylene Glycols / administration & dosage
  • Ribs / pathology
  • Ribs / surgery
  • Taxoids / administration & dosage
  • Thoracic Wall / pathology
  • Thoracic Wall / surgery

Substances

  • Taxoids
  • liposomal doxorubicin
  • Docetaxel
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Doxorubicin