[Inflammatory cancer]

Inflammatory carcinoma of the breast accounts for 1 to 4 p. 100 of breast cancers. It is a very serious form universally considered as a primarily systemic disease. The initial treatment is always systemic; primary surgery is contra-indicated. Most chemotherapeutic protocols result in objective response in 50 to 80 p. 100 of the cases. Depending on the response, local treatment consists of radiotherapy alone or combined with surgery. In spite of recent advances, the 5-year survival rate still ranges from 30 to 48 p. 100. Better prospects are in sight, however, owing to the study of prognostic factors, notably in the fields of oncogens and resistance to chemotherapy (MDR gene). Massive chemotherapy with autologous bone marrow transplantation or the use of haematopoietic growth factor will certainly play a part in treatment, but their value remains to be determined.