Successful Combination Therapy with Trastuzumab and Paclitaxel for Adriamycin- and Docetaxel-Resistant Inflammatory Breast Cancer

We present a case of adriamycin-and docetaxel-resistant inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) in which partial response was achieved with combination therapy using trastuzumab and paclitaxel. A 48-year old woman noticed a lump in her right breast. She was diagnosed with IBC and the disease was staged as T4d N1 M0, stage IIIB. The patient was started on neoadjuvant chemotherapy with adriamycin (50 mg/m2) and docetaxel (60 mg/m2) administered every three weeks. Six courses were performed and the response was evaluated as no change. After one month, contralateral breast swelling indicated bilateral IBC. Bilateral mastectomy using the Halsted method was performed. The immunohistochemical results of the Hercep Test™ was strongly positive (3+). After the mastectomy, right pleural effusion appeared, and cytological examination revealed the cells to be class V (adenocarcinoma).