INDUCTION CHEMOTHERAPY AND RADIOTHERAPY TO AVOID MASTECTOMY IN STAGE IIA-IIIA BREAST-CANCER

The aim of the presented protocol was to investigate tumour remission and breast conservation rates with and without flap supported surgery after preoperative chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hyperthermia. 101 pa tients with stage IIA-IIIA breast cancers were initially treated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hyperthermia. 96 patients underwent sal vage surgery. Complete pathologic response was not related to tumour d iameter at diagnosis, the applied chemotherapy regime, number of chemo therapy cycles, overall radiation treatment time and time interval bet ween radiotherapy and surgery. A breast conserving approach was possib le in 55 patients (54%). After a median follow-up of 18 months no pati ent developed an isolated local recurrence.