“Dose-Dense Primary Chemotherapy, as Part of Multidisciplinary Treatment, for Inoperable Stage III B Breast Cancer - Long-Term Results of a Phase II Trial”

<i>Background:</i> Primary chemotherapy as part of multidisciplinary approach is the established treatment for inoperable stage III B breast cancer. The primary endpoints were conversion to operable disease and feasibility of conservative surgery (breast-conserving therapy: BCT); secondary were clinical and pathological complete response rate, local and distant control and safety of the primary regimen. <i>Methods:</i> Between 1998 and 2001, 40 inoperable breast cancer patients ≤60 years, 72% T4abc and 28% T4d, received 6 cycles of primary PEV dose-dense regimen: cisplatin 50 mg/m<sup>2</sup>, epirubicin 100 mg/m<sup>2</sup> and vinorelbine 25…