Subtotal-Skin Electron-Beam Therapy Once a Week for Inflammatory Breast Carcinoma

Abstract
Subtotal-skin electron-beam therapy (SSEB) was employed once a week in the treatment of 22 patients with recurrent inflammatory breast carcinoma between 1971 and 1976. The entire upper torso received 400 rad once a week for 6 consecutive weeks, using 3.5-MeV electrons from a 6-MeV linear accelerator. Seventeen patients (77%) obtained complete response and 3 (14%) had partial response, for a total response rate of 91%. Remission lasted for 6 mo. or longer in 35% of those exhibiting complete response. Treatments were tolerated well. This is probably an excellent palliative method of treating this rapidly progressive disease.