Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Breast Responsive to Platinum and Taxane-Based Chemotherapy: A Rare Entity and Review Literature

Abstract Pure primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the breast is a rare malignancy which constitutes < 0.1% of all primary invasive breast carcinomas. It is considered to be more aggressive compared with other infiltrating ductal cancers, and knowledge concerning treatment patterns and outcomes is limited. We treated a 50-year-old woman with SCC of left breast, having metastatic fixed axillary lymph nodes. The tumor was hormone receptor negative. Paclitaxel and carboplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy was given with a good response, followed by modified radical mastectomy. Adjuvant radiotherapy was given to the chest and axilla in view of two lymph nodes positive for tumor out of 12. No local and systemic recurrence encountered in 1 year of follow-up. Surgery along with platinum and taxane-based chemotherapy and radiotherapy is an effective mode of treatment for SCC in other parts of the body. More data is necessary to formulate management guidelines, and further define if there is any role for systemic chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or hormonal blockade.