Survival advantage by neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy in locally advanced noninflammatory breast cancer

638 Background: The impact of timing of radiochemotherapy (RCT) relative to surgery has been assessed in terms of ten year survival rate for locally advanced or surgically in terms of breast conserving surgery or simple mastectomy unfavourable, noninflammatory breast cancers (LABC). Methods: A total of 644 women were included in the retrospective study from 1991–1998. Chemotherapy was applied in 166 as neoadjuvant, in 236 simultaneously and in 113 as adjuvant. 119 patients received no chemotherapy. 40% of the patients received four courses of epirubicin/ cyclophosphamide, 26% concurrent mitoxantrone, 5% three cycles of CMF, 3% six cycles of CMF and 15% had no chemotherapy. 315 patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) received neoadjuvant and 329 adjuvant RCT. Preoperative radiotherapy consisted of 50 Gy to the breast and the supra/infraclavicular lymph nodes with a 10 Gy electron or interstitial boost. The mean time interval between the end of radiotherapy and the surgery was 27 weeks (6–89 wee...