Assessment of Clinical Response to Multimodality Approach in Advanced Carcinoma Breast

ABSTRACT

Cases of carcinoma breast with TNM stage 3 are considered as locally advanced breast cancer. This study was done to demonstrate the effect of multimodal treatment approach in cases of stage 3 technically inoperable breast cancer. Its effect on clinical response was studied. Methods: This prospective study was carried out in department of general surgery, government Medical College, Amritsar, Punjab. Main part of multimodal approach is neoadjuvant chemotherapy, so in collaboration with department of radiotherapy, relevant data was collected. 25 cases of locally advanced breast carcinoma were studied. These patients were studied on treatment with FAC regimen (as neoadjuvant chemotherapy), then underwent surgical excision (MRM) followed by chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormonal therapy wherever indicated, and response was assessed. Results: Initially assessment of lump was done after 3 cycle of chemotherapy. 2 patients (8%) have reduction <50%, 22 patients (88%) have reduction in size which ranges between 51- 75% of the initial, remaining 1 patient (4%) has reduction >75% of the initial. Thus making them operable therefore after this they all had undergone modified radical mastectomy. During follow up period no lump was detected clinically, ultrasonographically or radiologically. There was no any loco-regional recurrence in any case. Conclusion: The study demonstrated the effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in down staging the tumor enabling definitive surgery with less morbidity.