Neoadjuvant intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy combined with hormonal therapy for locally advanced breast cancer

To determine the efficacy of combined neoadjuvant intra-arterial infusion c hemotherapy and hormonal therapy for treating locally advanced breast cance r, we compared the outcomes of patients with or without this therapy, and a lso assessed histologic response. Ninety-four patients with locally advance d breast cancer (stage IIIa, 56; stage IIIb, 38). Nineteen stage IIIa and 1 7 stage IIIb patients received intra-arterial plus hormonal therapy while 3 7 stage IIIa and 21 stage IIIb patients with similar ages and follow-up dur ations did not. Treated patients received intra-arterial epirubicin plus or al medroxyprogesterone. Five-year disease-free survival rates were 77.5% fo r intra-arterially treated and 33.0% for other patients in stage IIIa, and 70.5% for intra-arterially treated and 38.1% for other patients in stage II Ib. Five-year overall survival rates were 94.4% for intra-arterially treate d and 61.7% for other patients in stage ma, and 90.9% for intra-arterially treated and 56.3% for other patients in stage IIIb. Ten-year overall surviv al rates in stage IIIb were 90.9% for treated and 22.5% for other group pat ents. All differences were statistically significant (p<0.05). Good histolo gic response to intra-arterial therapy was seen in 75% of the primary tumor s and 71% of involved lymph nodes. Neoadjuvant intra-arterial therapy with hormonal therapy yielded better survival rates than no intra-arterial thera py or our previous intra-arterial regimen.