Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast: achieving long-term control with cisplatin-based chemotherapy

Pure primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the breast is rare and difficult to treat. Published series suggest a poor response to conventional breast chemotherapy. A 66-year-old woman with locally advanced SCC of the breast received combined-modality treatment with high-dose radiation therapy (59 Gy in 22 fractions); mastectomy; and chemotherapy with cisplatin 50 mg/m(2), mitomycin-C 6 mg/m(2), and ifosfamide 3 g/m(2) given in 21-day cycles. She remained disease free for 10 years from presentation and died from an unrelated cause. We would suggest that this case lends support to the use of high-dose radiation therapy and platinum-based chemotherapy in the management of this difficult condition.