[Locally advanced (neglected) breast cancer: the reality? Relevance of two cases and reflection how to optimise the multidisciplinary approach]

[Salvage concomitant chemoradiation therapy for non-metastatic inflammatory breast cancer after chemotherapy failure]

PURPOSE

To evaluate the surgical possibility following concomitant chemoradiotherapy for inflammatory breast cancer, after unsucessful neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The data from ten patients with inflammatory breast cancer treated between 1996 and 2010 by concomitant chemoradiotherapy after unsucessful neoadjuvant chemotherapy were analysed. All patients had an invasive carcinoma. All patients received a neoadjuvant chemotherapy, including anthracyclin, six patients received taxan and one received trastuzumab. Radiotherapy was delivered to the breast and regional lymph nodes in all patients at a dose of 50Gy; a boost of 20Gy was delivered to one patient. Concomitant chemotherapy was based on weekly cisplatin for six patients, on cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil the first and last weeks of radiotherapy for four patients.

RESULTS

The median follow-up for all patients was 44 months. Mastectomy was performed in nine patients. Two- and 5-year overall survival rates were respectively 70 % and 60 %. Median local recurrence delay was 5 months; six patients died (all from cancer), seven developped metastasis. Grade 1 and 2 epithelite was respectively observed in six and two patients, grade 2 renal toxicity in three patients, grade 2 neutropenia in one patient.

CONCLUSION

Concomitant chemoradiotherapy for inflammatory breast cancer after unsucessful neoadjuvant chemotherapy may control the disease in some patients and lead to mastectomy. These results have to be confirmed through a multicentric study with more patients.

Bilateral atrophic squirrhus of breast in neglected breast cancer: case report

The atrophic squirrhus carcinoma is an advanced form of breast cancer, which is most often neglected by patients. These days it has become very rare. The bilaterality of this form is even more exceptional. We present a case of atrophic squirrhus breast cancer of a 58 years old woman, rural origin, which is particular for its bilaterality and rapid evolution causing the death after 22 months from the first abnormal functional sign.