Clinical and prognostic features of a rapidly progressing breast cancer in Tunisia.

Clinical and radiographic examination of 581 patients with histologically verified breast cancer has permitted us to define a subgroup having a significantly poorer prognosis than other patients. Their condition, called "poussée évolutive" (rapidly progressing), is characterized by rapid tumor growth and/or inflammation adjacent to the tumor. Statistical analysis of the survival of M0 patients (412 of the 581) shows that the diagnosis of "poussée évolutive" provides prognostic information beyond that given by T and N classifications and after delay between initial symptoms and diagnosis have been considered. Six years of clinical experience with this condition are discussed.