[Radiation therapy in inflammatory breast cancer]

Abstract

Background: Inflammatory breast cancer accounts for 1-5% of all breast cancers. It is associated with a poor prognosis, because of an increased risk to develop metastases in comparison with all breast malignancies. The treatment is multimodal. We have evaluated the role of radiotherapy: indications, techniques and impact for local control and overall survival.

Method: The series of the literature with more than 40 patients irradiated for inflammatory breast cancer published since 1995 were analyzed.

Results: Chemotherapy was always delivered first. Adjuvant radiotherapy was associated with local control and overall survival at 10 years of 63-92% and 51-64 respectively. Without surgery, local control was 65% and overal survival 38% at 10years. Results of concomitant radiochemotherapy were reported: the studies were heterogenous. Modalities of radiotherapy were detailed with respect to dose and fractionation, target-volumes and technical considerations (including bolus).

Conclusion: The multimodal strategy comprises systematically radiotherapy with an evaluation of tumor response to maximise resecability.

Keywords: Cancer du sein inflammatoire; Fractionation; Fractionnement; Inflammatory breast cancer; Mastectomie; Mastectomy; Radiation therapy; Radiothérapie.