Ninety-eight patients with locally advanced cancer of the breast (stages IIIa-IIIb) observed between March 1981 and March 1986 were included in a study associating initial (neoadjuvant) intensive chemotherapy with or without hormone therapy, in all cases followed by external irradiation and then by maintenance radiotherapy and chemotherapy. A greater than 50% regression in the volume of the tumour was observed in 91% of patients after the initial chemotherapy, a result which was improved by hormone therapy with a complete clinical remission in 100% of cases after external and interstitial irradiation. The incidence of local recurrence was 11%. The 3 and 5 year survival rates without recurrence were 63% and 56% respectively and the global survival rate was 78% and 65% respectively. The degree of tumoral regression after the initial chemotherapy appeared to be the major prognostic factor.