To analyze the feasibility of neoadjuvant radiotherapy for inflammatory breast cancer by reviewing four cases and performed a literature review.

Four patients with inflammatory breast cancer (clinical stage T_4dN_1-3M₀) were treated with neoadjuvant radiotherapy after the failure of neoadjuvant systemic therapy, and the curative effect was observed. A review of the relevant literature was performed.

All the four patients with inflammatory breast cancer achieved clinical remission after neoadjuvant radiotherapy, and modified radical mastectomy was performed successfully. There were no serious complications after operation, and the incision healed well and there was no necrosis. Postoperative complete pathological remission was achieved in one case and partial remission in three. The median follow-up period was 26 months (18-103 months). One case developed chest wall recurrence, two developed lung and mediastinal lymph node metastasis, and one had no recurrence or metastasis. One case died of lung metastasis.

With the progress of radiotherapy technology, neoadjuvant radiotherapy can be considered as a safe and effective alternative treatment for inflammatory breast cancer patients when neoadjuvant systemic therapy failed.