[A case of inflammatory breast cancer achieving pathological complete response by primary systemic therapy with CEF (cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, 5-fluorouracil) followed by docetaxel].

A 48-year-old woman noticed her right breast swelling since a few weeks earlier. Rigidity in the AC area, hotness, swelling and peau d'orange appearance of the right whole breast were recognized. She was diagnosed as inflammatory breast cancer clinically and invasive ductal carcinoma with lymphatic invasion pathologically. The patient underwent primary systemic therapy with 4 cycles of CEF (cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m(2), epirubicin 100 mg/m(2), 5-fluorouracil 500 mg/m(2)) followed by 4 cycles of docetaxel (70 mg/m(2)). The effect of chemotherapy showed a partial response evaluated by mammography and ultrasonography, and complete response by MRI before surgery. Right mastectomy with level II lymph node dissection was performed. Pathologically, complete response was confirmed (pCR). Although IBC has been known for its poor outcome, this case suggests IBC will show a better prognosis by chemotherapy such as CEF followed by docetaxel.