Different responses to preoperative chemotherapy for invasive lobular and invasive ductal breast carcinoma V. F. Cocquyta, f1, P. N. Blondeelb, H. T. Depyperec, M. M. Praetd, V. R. Schelfhoutd, O. E. Silvae, J. Hurleye, R. F. Serreync, K. K. Daemsf and S. J. P. Van Bellea a Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Ghent, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium b Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Ghent, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium c Department of Gynaecology, University Hospital Ghent, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium d Department of N. Goormaghtigh Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Ghent, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium e University of Miami, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1475 N.W. 12th Avenue, Miami, Florida, 33136 f Biostatician, AstraZeneca, Macclesfield, UK Abstract Aim: Preoperative chemotherapy (PCT) is used in primary breast cancer, to facilitate breast conservative surgery (BCS). Clinical and pathologic responses are important prognostic parameters. Biologic markers are needed to individualize treatment. Patients and Methods: One hundred and thirty-five patients with breast carcinoma were treated with PCT, followed by surgery and adjuvant therapy. Clinical response and pathological complete response (pCR), biological markers and type of surgery were compared between invasive ductal (IDC) and invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). Results: Overall response (OR) for IDC was 75% compared to 50% for ILC (P=0.0151). Pathological CR was 15% for IDC and 0% for ILC (P=0.0066). Fifty-six percent of the responding patients had BCS, in contrast with 16% of the non-responders. BCS was performed in 50% of patients with IDC, in 38% of the patients with ILC. Salvage surgery was more necessary in ILC (19%) compared to IDC (4%) (P=0.0068). Patients with ILC were more frequently ER-positive and HER-2 negative than patients with IDC. Conclusions: Clinical and pathological responses are lower in ILC compared to IDC. After PCT, patients with large ILC should preferably be offered mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction. However, PCT still remains valuable to evaluate tumor response and biologic factors in vivo. f1 Correspondence to: Veronique F. Cocquyt, MD, University Hospital Ghent, Department of Medical Oncology, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, European Journal of Surgical Oncology Volume 29, Issue 4 , May 2003, Pages 361-367 Eur J Cancer 2/04 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.