Therapy possibilities for locoregional recurrences in breast cancer

In 10-30% of cases, locoregional recurrence is accompanied by distant metas tasis; a further 25% develop distant metastasis within the year after diagn osis of recurrence. In treatment of recurrent tumor in the thoracic wall, a xillary or supraclavicular disease surgery plays a major role. Since - anot her longlasting courses occur even in the metastatic situation, recurrence is not an infrequent event, and therapy then needs a multidisciplinary appr oach. Surgical techniques such as local, myocutaneous or omental flaps and mesh graft transplantation are used to cover large defects after tumor rese ction. Additional and innovative modalities are combined in the management of this complex problem: locoregional or systemic chemotherapy, topical app lication of chemotherapy, certain radiation regimens and in otherwise resis tant tumors the experimental use of photodynamic laser therapy (PDT). The m ost important goal hereby is to restore or at least maintain organ function and quality of life.