Postmastectomy morbidity after combination preoperative irradiation and chemotherapy for locally advanced breast cancer.

Neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced breast cancer improves disease control, but the complications of treatment are not well established. The aim of this study was to assess the operative morbidity in 20 consecutive patients with locally advanced, noninflammatory breast cancer treated with preoperative chemotherapy and radiation. Patients received preoperative cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, prednisone, and tamoxifen (CMFPT) to maximum response followed by concurrent chemotherapy and radiation to the involved breast and regional lymph nodes. Following modified radical mastectomy, chemotherapy was continued for a total of 10 cycles. Disease progressed in 3 of 20 patients (15%). Seventeen patients underwent mastectomy, 4 (24%) of whom demonstrated a pathologic complete response to chemoradiotherapy. Seven patients (41%) developed wound infections, 2 (12%) necrosis, 5 (29%) delayed healing, 2 (12%) upper extremity lymphedema, and 8 (47%) seromas. Postoperative chemotherapy was delayed in 4 (24%) patients. There was no mortality, and hospitalization was for less than 1 week. Only one patient required readmission. Although this treatment regimen is aggressive with attendant morbidity, complications are easily managed and generally do not delay therapy. Treatment modification to further reduce complications may be indicated.