Long-Term Outcomes in Stage IIIB Breast Cancer Patients Who Achieved Less Than a Pathological Complete Response (<pCR) After Primary Chemotherapy

Purpose. Pathological complete response (pCR) to primary chemotherapy is the main determinant for improved disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).Theprimaryendpointsofourstudywerethelongterm DFS and OS rates in homogeneously treated stage IIIB breast cancer patients who failed to achieve a pCR (hormone receptor (HR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)-2 status. Methods. We analyzed 58 of 74 consecutive stage IIIB patients treated between 1996 and 2001 who achieved epirubicin, and vinorelbine regimen for up to six cycles. At the time of patient accrual, trastuzumab was not available. After definitive surgery, pathological residual disease re