SURGICAL CONSIDERATIONS AFTER CHEMOTHERAPY AND RADIATION-THERAPY FOR INFLAMMATORY BREAST-CANCER

Google Scholar
  • 1 April 1986
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 99  (4) , 385-391
Abstract
Eighteen patients seen between 1974 and 1982 with the clinical diagnosis of inflammatory breast carcinoma underwent modified radical mastectomy after preoperative chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In 17 of the 18 patients (94%), residual carcinoma was detected in either the resected breast or the axillary nodes. All mastectomies were accomplished without major technical difficulty. Seven wound complications, including three infections, occurred. Local recurrence was noted in 29% (five of 17 patients) and distant metastasis was detected in 89% (16 of 18 patients). Only three patients were presently alive without evidence of disease 19, 21, and 21 months since the onset of symptoms. Eleven patients have died, the medium survival being 23 months since the development of symptoms, and four are alive with distant metastasis. Modified radical mastectomy can be accomplished in patients with inflammatory breast cancer after preoperative chemotherapy and radiation therapy and may have a role in reducing local tumor burden.