乳腺癌术后复发风险时间分布规律研究

目的研究我国乳腺癌患者术后复发风险时间分布规律。方法回顾性研究在本院手术治疗并且资料完整的原发性乳腺癌患者共2214例，对其进行生存分析及复发风险分析。结果单因素和多因素生存分析均提示，肿瘤大小、腋下淋巴结转移状态及孕激素受体（PR）状态是无复发生存率的预后因素（P〈0，05）。全组患者年复发风险曲线呈现双峰型，即该复发风险存在两个高峰期，分别位于术后第2年及术后第9．5～10年左右；肿瘤大小、腋下淋巴结转移状态、绝经状态或激素受体状态不同的患者均存在术后双峰型复发模式，但不同亚组间亦存在一定的差异，主要表现为该复发模式在肿瘤较大及淋巴结阳性的亚组中更为明显，以及雌激素受体阳性患者的复发双峰较阴性患者在时间上有所延迟。结论乳腺癌术后复发风险时间分布呈现出一定的规律，针对性制定术后随访和辅助治疗的新策略，可能有助于改善乳腺癌的治疗效果。     

乳腺癌术后局部复发因素的探讨

目的探讨乳腺癌术后局部复发的影响因素,以便更有效地预防乳腺癌术后局部复发.方法对1994年1月至2002年12月我院乳腺科女性原发乳腺癌522例患者进行分析,观察年龄、手术方式、肿瘤临床分期、病理组织学类型、腋窝淋巴结转移数目、辅助化疗情况、雌激素受体水平等因素对术后局部复发的影响.结果 522例患者中,局部复发38例,复发率7.3%.其中年龄、手术方式对局部复发无显著影响;临床分期、病理组织学类型、腋窝淋巴结转移数目、化疗完成情况是影响术后局部复发的重要因素.雌激素受体测定双阳性或双阴性对局部复发有直接影响.结论早期诊断是防止乳腺癌复发转移的有效途径.原发肿瘤大小、病理组织学类型、腋淋巴结阳性数是影响局部复发的主要因素.严格掌握保乳手术指征,是减少复发的关键.规范化疗是防止局部复发的重要因素.雌孕激素受体水平是估测局部复发的参考指标.内分泌治疗,可减少局部复发.早期诊断、规范治疗是防止乳腺癌局部复发和转移的有效措施.     

73例乳腺癌术后胸壁复发因素及预后分析

目的：探讨乳腺癌术后胸壁局部复发因素及预后意义。方法：对73例乳腺癌术后胸壁复发患者进行回顾性分析。结果：本组患者占同期全部乳腺癌病例的4．02％，其中50例(68．5％)胸壁复发发生在术后2年内，复发后34例(46．6％)于2年内死亡。结论：乳腺癌原发肿瘤分期晚、腋下淋巴结癌转移数多、复发率高；原发灶雌激素受体(ER)及孕激素受体(PR)阴性患者．复发多出现在术后2年内。术后胸壁复发时，复发病灶情况及治疗效果是影响预后的因素之一，以手术为主的综合治疗可提高其远期疗效。     

73例乳腺癌术后胸壁复发因素及预后分析

目的:探讨乳腺癌术后胸壁局部复发因素及预后意义.方法:对73例乳腺癌术后胸壁复发患者进行回顾性分析.结果:本组患者占同期全部乳腺癌病例的4.02%,其中50例(68.5%)胸壁复发发生在术后2年内,复发后34例(46.6%)于2年内死亡.结论:乳腺癌原发肿瘤分期晚、腋下淋巴结癌转移数多、复发率高;原发灶雌激素受体(ER)及孕激素受体(PR)阴性患者,复发多出现在术后2年内.术后胸壁复发时,复发病灶情况及治疗效果是影响预后的因素之一,以手术为主的综合治疗可提高其远期疗效.     

乳腺癌术后胸壁复发85 例分析

 目的　探讨乳腺癌术后胸壁局部复发因素及预后意义。方法　回顾性分析乳腺癌术后胸壁局部复发患者 85例。结果　本组患者占同期全部乳腺癌病例的 3.5 9% ,其中 5 5例 (6 4.7%复发发生在手术后 2年内 ,复发后 39例 (4 5 .9% ) ,2年内死亡。结论　临床分期晚、腋下淋巴结癌转移数多、原发灶见脉管癌栓患者术后胸壁复发率高 ;原发灶雌激素受体 (ER)及孕激素受体 (PR)阴性患者 ,复发多出现在术后第 1、2年内。对乳腺癌术后易复发的高危人群除应规范化治疗 ,还应实施适时胸壁放疗。     

乳腺癌保留乳房治疗局部复发风险因素回顾性分析

目的:探讨早期乳腺癌保留乳房术后局部复发的临床病理危险因素。方法:收集我院1998-09-01-2011-07-31收治的临床0～Ⅱ期行保留乳房手术的146例早期乳腺癌患者的病例资料,采用Cox检验对患者年龄、肿瘤大小、淋巴结状态、雌激素受体(ER)表达、孕激素受体(PR)表达、人类表皮生长因子受体2(HER-2)表达和分子分型与术后局部复发的相关性进行单因素和多因素分析。结果:中位随访61个月,9例患者首发出现患侧乳房局部复发,生存分析显示3年和5年累积局部复发率分别为6.3%和7.5%。患者年龄、肿瘤大小、ER/PR表达状态和分子分型与术后局部复发无明显相关性,P>0.05。HER-2阳性(P=0.002 1)和淋巴结阳性(P=0.03)与局部复发有相关性,且是独立影响因素。结论:HER-2阳性和淋巴结阳性是乳腺癌保留乳房术后局部复发的独立预后高危因素,而患者年龄、肿瘤大小、激素受体表达状态和局部复发无显著相关性。     

女性乳腺癌患者229例新辅助化疗的影响因素

目的 分析女性乳腺癌患者实施新辅助化疗的临床影响因素,为是否进行新辅助化疗及化疗方案选择提供依据.方法 根据229例女性乳腺癌患者术后雌激素受体(ER)、C-erhB-2、p53蛋白表达状态,分为阳性组和阴性组,对相关临床因素分别进行多因素非条件的Logistic回归分析.结果 月经状况为影响乳腺癌ER表达状态的临床因素;腋窝淋巴结转移、月经状况、乳腺增生史是影响乳腺癌C-erbB-2表达的临床因素;年龄、肿块大小、腋窝淋巴结转移、月经状况是影响乳腺癌p53表达状态的临床因素.结论 月经状况、腋窝淋巴结转移、年龄、肿块大小、乳腺增生史对决定乳腺癌患者是否进行新辅助化疗以及选择何种化疗方案具有一定的指导价值.     

乳腺癌术后局部复发因素的临床分析

目的 探讨乳腺癌根治术后局部复发的影响因素.方法 回顾性分析1997年1月至2007年12月期间行根治性手术的635例乳腺癌患者的临床资料.结果 635例患者中,术后局部复发49例,局部复发率为7.7%(49/635),其中3年内复发34例,占69.3%(34/49).总复发率7.7%.年龄、手术方式对乳腺癌术后局部复发无显著影响.临床分期、病理组织学类型、腋窝淋巴结转移数目、辅助治疗完成情况和c-erbB-2是局部复发的重要因素.激素受体测定双阳性、双阴性对乳腺癌术后局部复发有影响.结论 临床分期、病理组织学类型、腋窝淋巴结转移数目、辅助治疗完成情况和c-erbB-2是局部复发的重要因素.术后辅助治疗可以减少局部复发.早期发现、早期诊断、早期治疗和术后辅助放化疗等,可降低乳腺癌根治术后的局部复发率.     

乳腺癌根治术后区域淋巴结复发放射治疗疗效分析

目的：探讨乳腺癌根治术后区域淋巴结复发患者放射治疗和其他综合治疗手段的合理联用以及影响局部控制率和生存率的预后因素。方法：回顾性分析了1994～2003年期间在我院放疗科收治的77例乳腺癌根治术后区域淋巴结复发作为术后第一次治疗失败的患者，其中45例为锁骨上淋巴结，16例腋下淋巴结，6例内乳淋巴结，10例同时有2个淋巴结区累及。中位随访时间为34．4个月。所有患者均接受放射治疗。12例在放疗前接受复发灶手术切除。照射剂量范围为50-74Gy，中位剂量为60Gy。结果：本组患者中位生存期为4．67年，二年、五年和八年生存率分别为77．8％、47．4％和31．5％。无病间期、激素受体状态为影响生存率的独立的预后因素。总计有30例(39％)发生再次局部和(或)区域性复发，其中4例发生在原复发部位，26例发生在其他部位，胸壁是发生率最高的二次复发部位，总计有18例(23％)患者发生的再次复发部位中包括胸壁。首次术后病理腋淋巴结转移数目是影响局部控制率的预后因素。结论：放射治疗是乳腺癌术后区域淋巴结复发的有效治疗手段。23％的患者治疗后发生后续的胸壁复发，建议对患侧胸壁作预防性照射。首次术后病理腋淋巴结转移数目4个及以上的患者作胸壁预防的意义更大。无病间期2年及以上，激素受体阳性的患者是相对预后较好的患者群。全身治疗在改善生存率方面的意义尚不明确。     

乳腺癌术后局部复发因素的临床分析

目的探讨乳腺癌术后局部复发的影响因素.方法自1997年1月至2001年1月我院共收治乳腺癌患者435例.观察肿瘤自身因素和治疗因素对术后复发的影响.结果 3年复发率6.4%,总复发率7.0%.肿瘤自身因素中,患者年龄和是否绝经、病理类型和激素受体情况、原发肿瘤大小和腋窝淋巴结转移数目对术后局部复发有显著影响,而患者性别和是否有肿瘤家族史对术后局部复发无显著影响.治疗因素中,术后辅助放疗对减少局部复发有一定作用,而保乳术后局部复发率高于根治术和改良根治术.结论早期诊断、早期治疗是减少乳腺癌复发转移的有效途径,加强辅助治疗可以减少和延缓术后局部复发.     

Long-term results of breast-conserving treatment for early-stage breast cancer in Japanese women from multicenter investigation

BACKGROUND: Although many clinical data regarding breast-conserving treatment have already been reported from European and North American countries, few clinical data with long-term follow-up have been reported from Japan. METHOD: We collected information on therapeutic and possible or developed prognostic factors and follow-up data for Japanese women who had received breast-conserving treatment consisting of wide excision of the primary tumor, axillary dissection and radiotherapy for unilateral breast cancer considered suitable for breast-conserving treatment from 18 Japanese major breast cancer treating hospitals; 1561 patients were registered. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 77 months. Five-year disease-free and overall survival rates were 89.4 and 95.9%, respectively. The 5-year local recurrence-free rate was 96.3%. The patients with histologically positive margins (P < 0.0001) or estrogen receptor negative tumor (P = 0.0340) or younger than 40 years old (P < 0.0001) developed statistically significantly more local recurrences. Adjuvant endocrine therapy was essential for the estrogen receptor positive patients to have a lower local recurrence rate. Endocrine therapy did not change the local recurrence rate among estrogen receptor negative patients at all. Multivariate analysis showed histological margin status and the combination of estrogen receptor status and endocrine therapy were independent prognostic factors for local recurrence. CONCLUSION: The 5-year local recurrence rate of Japanese breast cancer patients who were treated with breast-conserving treatment using radiotherapy was 3.7%. Independent prognostic factors for local recurrence were histological margin status and the combination of estrogen receptor status and adjuvant endocrine therapy.     

T1-2N1M0期乳腺癌新辅助化疗后疗效分析及放疗选择的探讨

目的 评价T_1-2N₁M₀期乳腺癌新辅助化疗后辅助放疗对LC率的影响及地位。方法收集2005—2010年间收治的新辅助化疗患者资料,筛选出T_1-2N₁M₀人群,并对其辅助放疗的临床结果进行分析。共入组T_1-2N₁M₀患者144例,中位年龄45岁(23~72岁)。结果 术后30例(21%)获得乳腺原发灶和腋窝淋巴结pCR者均接受了辅助放疗,45例仅腋窝淋巴结阳性转阴性者中10例未接受辅助放疗,69例腋窝淋巴结转移仍为阳性者中6例未接受放疗,其余患者均接受了辅助放疗。全组中位随访时间88个月,46例复发转移(32%),其中pCR者5年LR率为3.0%。5年LR率新辅助化疗后腋窝淋巴结阳性转阴性者放疗组为7%、未放疗组为16%(P=0.181),腋窝淋巴结仍为阳性者放疗组为15.9%、未放疗组为33%(P=0.267)。全组pCR者DFS时间较非pCR者延长(P=0.017)。结论 新辅助化疗后获pCR者DFS期优于未获pCR者,获pCR患接受辅助放疗的LR率较低,腋窝淋巴结阳性转阴性者未能从术后辅助放疗中获益,而腋窝淋巴结转移仍为阳性者的LR率高,辅助放疗有获益趋势。     

乳腺癌骨转移相关的临床病理因素的研究

目的：研究与乳腺癌骨转移有关的临床、病理因素，探讨有助于预测乳腺癌骨转移的危险因素。方法：对本院1981年1月～2000年12月手术的3796例乳腺癌患者的随访资料进行回顾分析，根据首发转移部位分组，研究116例骨转移的临床、病理资料，并与内脏转移、淋巴结或软组织转移患者的情况作比较。结果：本组病例首次复发为骨转移者116例，占3．1％；骨转移与患者年龄轻、肿块直径大、临床体检腋淋巴结肿大、腋淋巴结转移数多、病期为Ⅱ／Ⅲ期、组织学类型为非特殊型浸润性癌相关；多因素逐步回归分析术前资料显示，肿块大小、体检腋淋巴结状况与骨转移相关；术后资料中，肿块大小、腋淋巴结转移数、病理类型与骨转移相关。本组骨转移患者均曾接受正规的局部治疗和辅助化疗；首次复发在局部、淋巴结、软组织或局部复发伴远处转移组中，特殊型浸润性癌所占比例明显高于骨转移的患者；骨转移和内脏转移的时间分布无差别，而局部复发和／或淋巴结、软组织转移组，复发时间较骨转移组早。结论：年轻的、肿块分级为T2／T3，临床体检腋淋巴结肿大者，术前有必要进行同位素骨扫描检查；非特殊型浸润性乳腺癌，肿块分级为T2／T3，腋淋巴结转移数≥4枚，为骨转移的高危因素，可在此类病例中开展双磷酸盐的辅助治疗研究。     

术后放疗在T1～T2期腋窝淋巴结1～3个转移乳腺癌中的临床应用

目的探讨T1～T2期腋窝淋巴结1～3个转移乳腺癌改良根治术后放疗的疗效及影响术后复发的相关因素。方法回顾分析496例腋窝淋巴结1～3个转移的早期患者,所有患者均行乳腺癌改良根治术,术后行放射治疗者210例,未行放疗者286例。术后随访满5年,组间差异采用χ2检验,影响复发率的多因素分析采用Logistic回归分析。结果全组5年生存率：92.3%（458/496）,5年局部复发率7.3%（36/496）,远处转移率12.1%（60/496）。术后放疗组与未放疗组的局部复发率分别为4.3%和9.4%（χ2=4.780,P=0.029）。Logistic回归分析提示,术后复发与是否行肿瘤局切术[Exp（B）=3.420,P=0.004]、月经状况[Exp（B）=0.336,P=0.032]、肿块位置[Exp（B）=4.744,P=0.000]、淋巴结清扫个数[Exp（B）=5.507,P=0.000]相关。结论术后放疗可降低T1～T2期腋窝淋巴结1～3个转移乳腺癌患者的局部复发率;肿瘤局切术后、绝经前、肿块位于中央区或内象限、淋巴结清扫数〈10个等为影响肿瘤复发的独立高危因素,对这部分患者应积极考虑行术后放疗。     

乳腺癌根治术局部复发后影响预后的相关因素分析

目的研究乳腺癌根治术局部复发后影响预后的相关因素,探讨乳腺癌根治术后局部复发的最佳治疗方案。方法回顾性分析天津肿瘤医院1975年1月至2003年1月期间收治的1067例乳腺癌根治术后复发患者,采用χ2检验或秩和检验对患者年龄、绝经情况、原发瘤临床分期、腋窝淋巴结转移情况、无病间期、复发部位、胸壁复发灶数目及其最大直径、雌激素受体(ER)或孕激素受体(PR)表达、人类表皮生长因子受体2(HER-2)表达等临床病理特征以及不同治疗方案与局部复发治疗的近期疗效和远处转移率之间的关系进行单因素分析;使用Kaplan-Meier法及COX回归模型对乳腺癌根治术复发后影响5年生存率的相关因素进行单因素与多因素分析。结果对全部1067例病例进行随访,778例(72.9%)出现远处转移,复发后5年总生存率为42.4%。复发部位、胸壁复发灶数目及其最大直径、有无放射治疗、放射治疗范围、有无化疗、有无手术切除或切除活检等因素的不同亚组间局部控制率的差异有统计学意义(P0.050);腋窝淋巴结转移情况、无病间期、ER或PR表达、HER-2表达以及再治疗中有无化疗等因素的不同亚组间远处转移率的差异有统计学意义(P0.050);无病间期、复发部位、胸壁复发灶数目、ER或PR表达、HER-2表达、治疗方法等因素的不同亚组间5年总生存率的差异有统计学意义(P0.050);无病间期≤2年、复发部位多、治疗方案单一、局部控制率低及ER、PR均阴性是导致复发性乳腺癌预后差的独立因素(P0.050)。结论多部位复发、胸壁多发结节及胸壁复发灶最大直径3cm者局部控制不佳,局部扩大野放射治疗结合化疗和(或)手术是改善局部控制率的较好模式;有腋窝淋巴结转移、2年内复发、ER、PR均阴性以及HER-2阳性表达的乳腺癌复发后容易发生远处转移,复发再治疗中化疗能减少远处转移的发生;对于复发性乳腺癌采取综合治疗方案可以提高复发患者的生存率;无病间期长,多部位复发,ER或PR阴性者提示预后不良。     

Tenascin-C expression in invasion border of early breast cancer: a predictor of local and distant recurrence.

We have recently demonstrated an association between distant metastasis and the expression of the extracellular matrix glycoprotein tenascin-C (Tn-C) in the invasion border of small axillary node-negative breast carcinomas. Our purpose was to assess the relationship between the expression of Tn-C in the tumour invasion border and several histopathological and biological variables and to compare their usefulness in predicting local and distant disease recurrences. The original patient group consisted of 143 women with axillary node-negative breast cancer (one bilateral) treated with breast-conserving surgery and post-operative radiotherapy, and followed for a median of 8 years. Because of the small number of recurrences an additional group of 15 similarly treated women with recurrent breast cancer was also studied. The size of the tumour, its histology, including a possible intraductal component, and grade were re-evaluated. The expression of erbB-2, p53, Ki-67 and Tn-C was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Ploidy and S-phase fraction (SPF) were assessed by flow cytometry. The only statistically significant prognostic factor for local recurrence was Tn-C expression in the invasion border. For metastasis Ki-67 positivity, tumour size and Tn-C expression in the invasion border were statistically significant, but Ki-67 positivity was the only independent prognostic factor. Tn-C expression in the invasion border was associated with a higher proliferation rate measured by Ki-67 and SPF, which is consistent with the suggested growth-promoting activity of Tn-C. Tn-C may be a useful marker in selecting patients for adjuvant therapies to reduce the rate of both local and distant cancer recurrences.     

Long-term follow-up of axillary node-positive breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant tamoxifen alone: patterns of recurrence

Purpose: To determine the patterns, incidence and risk factors for local-regional recurrence in patients with Stage II and III breast cancer treated with adjuvant tamoxifen alone, without adjuvant radiation.Material and Methods: The records of patients referred to the London Regional Cancer Centre with a diagnosis of breast cancer between 1980–1989 were reviewed. During this time period, it was the policy of the institution to omit local-regional radiation to patients receiving adjuvant systemic therapy. One hundred and fifty axillary node-positive Stage II and III breast cancer patients received adjuvant tamoxifen alone without postoperative local-regional radiation; these patients form the basis of this report.Results: Median follow-up was 67 months for the entire patient group and 85 months for the living patients. During this time, 42% of patients developed a recurrence, 22% first recurred in local-regional sites. The total incidence of local-regional recurrence (including those patients who first relapsed with systemic metastases) was 30%. Of the segmental mastectomy patients, 13% had recurrences in the intact breast. Of the modified radical mastectomy patients, 10% developed chest wall recurrences. Five percent of recurrences were first in the axilla and 6% in the supraclavicular nodes. Five-year actuarial survival for the entire patient group was 79% and disease-free survival was 60%, with a median disease-free survival time of 87 months. Five-year local-regional relapse-free survival was 76%. Five-year local-regional relapse-free survival was < 76% for those patients with 4 or more positive axillary nodes, regardless of tumor size. On univariable analysis, positive resection margins, number of positive axillary nodes, menopausal status, and negative estrogen and progesterone receptors were significant for isolated local-regional recurrence. On multivariable analysis, only positive resection margins and negative receptors remained significant. In terms of regional recurrence specifically, negative estrogen and progesterone-receptor status and positive resection margins were, again, prognostically significant.Conclusions: Postmenopausal women receiving adjuvant tamoxifen who have positive resection margins, ≥ 4 positive axillary nodes and/or negative estrogen and progesterone receptors, are at higher risk of local and regional recurrence and should, therefore, receive local-regional radiation.     

Prediction of supraclavicular lymph node metastasis in breast carcinoma

PURPOSE: Supraclavicular lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients has a poor prognosis, and aggressive local treatment has usually resulted in severe morbidity. The purpose of this study was to select high-risk neck metastasis patients for prophylactic radiotherapy. METHODS: Between 1990 and 1998, 2658 consecutive invasive breast cancer patients underwent surgery and adjuvant therapy in the hospital. The median age was 47 years (range 22-92). The median follow-up period was 39 months. The following factors were analyzed: age, tumor size, tumor location, histologic type, histologic grade, estrogen and progesterone receptor status, DNA flow cytometry study results, number of positive axillary lymph nodes, use of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and/or hormonal therapy, and level of involved axillary nodes. RESULTS: Of the 2658 patients, 113 (4.3%) developed supraclavicular lymph node metastasis during this period. Young age (< or =40 years), tumor size >3 cm, high histologic grade, angiolymphatic invasion, negative estrogen receptor status, synthetic phase fraction >4%, >4 positive nodes, and level II or III involved nodes were all significant for predicting neck metastasis in the univariate analysis. Three predictive factors were significant after multivariate analysis: high histologic grade, >4 positive nodes, and axillary level II or III involved nodes. In patients with axillary level I involved nodes and < or =4 positive nodes, the incidence was 4.4%. If axillary level III was involved, the rate of supraclavicular lymph node metastasis was 15.1%. CONCLUSION: The incidence of supraclavicular lymph node metastasis was higher in the groups with >4 positive nodes and in those with axillary level II or III involved nodes. Selective use of comprehensive radiotherapy for these high-risk patients will achieve good locoregional control.     

Locoregional failure of postmastectomy patients with 1-3 positive axillary lymph nodes without adjuvant radiotherapy

PURPOSE: To analyze the incidence and risk factors for locoregional recurrence (LRR) in patients with breast cancer who had T1 or T2 primary tumor and 1-3 histologically involved axillary lymph nodes treated with modified radical mastectomy without adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April 1991 and December 1998, 125 patients with invasive breast cancer were treated with modified radical mastectomy and were found to have 1-3 positive axillary nodes. The median number of nodes examined was 17 (range 7-33). Of the 125 patients, 110, who had no adjuvant RT and had a minimum follow-up of 25 months, were included in this study. Sixty-nine patients received adjuvant chemotherapy and 84 received adjuvant hormonal therapy with tamoxifen. Patient-related characteristics (age, menopausal status, medial/lateral quadrant of tumor location, T stage, tumor size, estrogen/progesterone receptor protein status, nuclear grade, extracapsular extension, lymphovascular invasion, and number of involved axillary nodes) and treatment-related factors (chemotherapy and hormonal therapy) were analyzed for their impact on LRR. The median follow-up was 54 months. RESULTS: Of 110 patients without RT, 17 had LRR during follow-up. The 4-year LRR rate was 16.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 9.1-23.1%). All but one LRR were isolated LRR without preceding or simultaneous distant metastasis. According to univariate analysis, age <40 years (p = 0.006), T2 classification (p = 0.04), tumor size >==3 cm (p = 0.002), negative estrogen receptor protein status (p = 0.02), presence of lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.02), and no tamoxifen therapy (p = 0.0006) were associated with a significantly higher rate of LRR. Tumor size (p = 0.006) was the only risk factor for LRR with statistical significance in the multivariate analysis. On the basis of the 4 patient-related factors (age <40 years, tumor >==3 cm, negative estrogen receptor protein, and lymphovascular invasion), the high-risk group (with 3 or 4 factors) had a 4-year LRR rate of 66.7% (95% CI 42.8-90.5%) compared with 7.8% (95% CI 2.2-13.3%) for the low-risk group (with 0-2 factors; p = 0.0001). For the 110 patients who received no adjuvant RT, LRR was associated with a 4-year distant metastasis rate of 49.0% (9 of 17, 95% CI 24.6-73.4%). For patients without LRR, it was 13.3% (15 of 93, 95% CI 6.3-20.3%; p = 0.0001). The 4-year survival rate for patients with and without LRR was 75.1% (95% CI 53.8-96.4%) and 88.7% (95% CI 82.1-95.4%; p = 0.049), respectively. LRR was independently associated with a higher risk of distant metastasis and worse survival in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: LRR after mastectomy is not only a substantial clinical problem, but has a significant impact on the outcome of patients with T1 or T2 primary tumor and 1-3 positive axillary nodes. Patients with risk factors for LRR may need adjuvant RT. Randomized trials are warranted to determine the potential benefit of postmastectomy RT on the survival of patients with a T1 or T2 primary tumor and 1-3 positive nodes.