Update in the treatment of locally advanced breast cancer: a multidisciplinary approach

Locally advanced breast cancer represents a wide variety of neoplasms and constitutes approximately 10%-20% of the newly diagnosed breast cancers. These cancers may have widely different clinical and biological characteristics. According to the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system, all of stage III disease is considered locally advanced. The clinical treatment of locally advanced breast cancer is complex and should be tailored to the individual patient. In this paper we discuss the options of management of locally advanced breast cancer, focusing on a multidisciplinary approach through a combined-modality care involving surgery, radiotherapy and systemic therapy.