Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with epirubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by docetaxel (ECT) in locally advanced and inflammatory breast cancer (BC): Saint Louis experience

10729 Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is increasingly used in locally advanced breast cancer ptes. We studied the histological response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in ptes with locally advanced and inflammatory breast cancer. Methods: From 2003 to 2005, 50 ptes with locally advanced and inflammatory breast cancer received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (Epirubicin 75 mg/m2, Cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m2 (d1-q21, 4 courses (c)) followed by Docetaxel 100 mg/m2 (d1-q21, 4 c). All ptes had a surgical biopsy prior chemotherapy, initial conservative surgery was impossible. Clinical responses were evaluated by the same oncologist and the surgery slices reviewed by the same pathologist. Histological complete response is defined as no infiltrative and/or in situ tumor in the breast and negative lymph nodes. Results: Ptes characteristics: median age 50 y (30–74), 30 premenopausal ptes; T2: 5 ptes, T3: 24, T4: 21, median tumor size 60 mm; N0: 12, N1: 38, 11 ptes had inflammatory tumor. Histological features: 43 infil...