Intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy as an induction therapy in multidisciplinary treatment for locally advanced breast cancer. A long-term follow-up study.

A multidisciplinary treatment including intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy as an induction therapy was administered to 55 patients with locally advanced breast cancer. Intra-arterial chemotherapy conducted preoperatively produced marked responses in primary and lymph node lesions with 78% complete + partial response (CR + PR), subsequently permitting extended radical mastectomy. Histologic examination of resected specimens also revealed that 33% of the patients had no viable cancer cells remaining in their lesions. Five-year and 10-year survival rates were 57% and 41%, respectively, compared with 24% and 18%, respectively for the 17 patients of historic control. Patients showing better local responses to intra-arterial chemotherapy had longer survival time with less frequent local recurrences. Intra-arterial chemotherapy is an effective modality for the treatment of locally advanced breast cancer.