title: Definition and consequences of locally advanced breast cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) represents the most advanced stage breast cancer that is still potentially curable with surgery, radiation, and systemic therapy. The purpose of this review is to discuss LABC in the context of modern practice with a focus on its definition and potential consequences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There is no one encompassing definition for this disease, but in general cancers of the breast are considered to be locally advanced if they are large and/or have infiltrated into adjacent tissues (the overlying skin or underlying muscles) and/or are found to have extensive locoregional lymph node involvement. It is not surprising, therefore, that LABC can cause significant morbidity and mortality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recent advances in our understanding of the biology of breast cancer have made it clear that LABC does not represent a single clinical entity but rather a heterogeneous group of breast tumors that share a common theme of extensive locoregional spread without overt evidence of distant metastatic disease. Despite advances in breast cancer screening and treatment LABC remains a significant global healthcare issue.
authors.affiliation: aDivision of Medical Oncology, The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa bWomens College Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Demetrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Simos
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clemons
authors.forename: Ophira M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Ginsburg
authors.forename: Carmel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jacobs
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis