Three cases of sarcoma occurring after radiation therapy of breast cancers

We report 3 cases of sarcomas following irradiation for breast carcinoma. Median latent period ranged from 7 to 17 years. Histologic types were 1 malignant fibrous histiocytoma, 1 osteochondrosarcoma, 1 chondrosarcoma. Diagnosis was often delayed because of non-specific clinical features. The prognosis of these postirradiation sarcomas was poor with the median survival ranging from 10 to 70 months. One patient had a complete resection and is alive at 70 months. In the other 2 non-resectable patients, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy did not induce an objective response. The poor prognosis when these tumors are diagnosed late emphasizes the need for increased awareness, which should lead to earlier diagnosis and, it is hoped, permit radical surgical treatment.