The role of radiotherapy in combined treatment for locally advanced breast cancer with ipsilateral supraclavicular metastases

Background: Locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) includes a heterogeneous group of breast neoplasms classified from stage IIB, IIIA to IIIB. LABC with ipsilateral supraclavicular adenopathy without evidence of distant disease is included in the stage IV (but regional stage IV). Purpose of this study was to assess the role of radiotherapy (RT) in combined treatment with systemic therapy (chemotherapy and hormonotherapy) in LABC with ipsilateral supraclavicular adenopathy. Methods: In 5-year period 45 patients with LABC and ipsilateral supraclavicular metastases were treated with radiotherapy and chemo- or hormonotherapy depending on the physical condition, age and steroid receptors (ER, PGR) content. Twenty patients received TD 30 Gy in 10 fractions on breast and regional lymph nodes and 25 patients received TD 51 Gy in 15 fractions on the breast and TD 45 Gy in 15 fractions on regional lymph nodes. Twenty-three patients received chemotherapy (CMF or FAC), 10 received hormonotherapy, and 12 received both chemo- and hormonotherapy. Results: After finishing complete treatment the overall response rate was 93.3%. Complete response was 20% and partial response was 73.3%. Locoregional relapse occurred in 5 patients and distant metastases occurred in 10 patients. Conclusion: Treatment of LABC with ipsilateral supraclavicular lymph node involvement should be aggressive, what means combined radiotherapy and systemic chemo-hormonotherapy. Such treatment provides for these patients maximum chance of long-term disease - free and overall survival.