Intra-arterial regional chemotherapy plus intensive loco-regional radiotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced breast cancer

A multimodal treatment combining intra-arterial chemotherapy and intensive loco-regional radiotherapy was administered to 55 patients with locally advanced breast cancer. Adjuvant polichemotherapy followed, and eventually endocrinotherapy. Combined intra-arterial chemotherapy and intensive radiotherapy gave excellent results in both primary and lymph node lesions, with 90.9% and 92.2% complete/partial response rates. Three-year and 5-year actuarial survival rates were 69% and 59%, respectively. Patients showing better local responses to combined intra-arterial chemotherapy and intensive radiotherapy had longer survival and less frequent local recurrences. Combined intra-arterial chemotherapy and intensive loco-regional radiotherapy seems to be an effective modality for the treatment of locally advanced breast cancer