Inflammatory carcinoma of the breast: A correlation of clinical, radiologic and pathogic findings.

In a study of 75 patients with inflammatory carcinoma of the breast seen at Emory University Clinic over a 38 year period, the average longevity from the time of diagnosis was 22 months and the 5-year survival 5.6%. The results of treatment were poor with all methods used, although supervoltage therapy improved local control, and when followed by mastectomy, gave the longest average local control and survival. The designation of inflammatory carcinoma as primary and secondary is often not applicable and should be dropped. Instead, the terms inflammatory carcinoma and recurrent inflammatory carcinoma seem more appropriate. It is suggested that in a number of patients fulfilling certain criteria, surgery should be contemplated and all others treated by non-surgical means. The diagnosis of inflammatory cancer is still primarily clinical. However, radiologic and pathology examination are invaluable to confirming the clinical impression and occasionally suggest the diagnosis before inflammatory signs appear.