Hypofractionation with no boost after breast conservation in early-stage breast cancer patients

The aim of this study was to evaluate local control, survival and toxicity profile of a consecutive cohort of early-stage breast cancer (EBC) patients treated with adjuvant hypofractionated radiotherapy (HF) with no boost delivered to the lumpectomy cavity, after breast-conserving surgery (BCS). Between 2005 and 2015, a total of 493 women affected with EBC were treated with HF (46 Gy/20 fractions or 40.05 Gy/15 fractions) to the whole breast without boost to tumor bed, because of age and/or favorable tumor characteristics. The primary endpoint was 5-year actuarial local control (LC); secondary endpoints included survival, toxicity profile and cosmesis. Median follow-up was 57 months (range 6–124). Actuarial 5-year overall, cancer-specific, disease-free survival and LC were 96.3, 98.9, 97.8 and 98.6 %, respectively. On multivariate analysis, tumor stage (T1 vs. T2) and hormonal status (positive vs. negative estrogen receptors) were significantly correlated with LC. Only 2 % of patients experienced ≥G3 acute skin toxicity. Late toxicity was mild with only 1 case of G3 fibrosis. Most of the patients (95 %) had good–excellent cosmetic results. HF to the whole breast with no boost delivered to the tumor bed is a safe and effective option for a population of low-risk breast cancer patients after BCS, with excellent 5-year LC, mild toxicity profile and promising cosmetic outcome. A subgroup of patients with larger tumors and/or with no estrogen receptor expression may potentially benefit from treatment intensification with a boost dose to the lumpectomy cavity.     

Breast-conserving therapy for stage I-II breast cancer in elderly women

PURPOSE: To assess breast-conserving therapy results in elderly patients with early-stage breast cancer (clinical Stage I-II). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between 1979 and 1998, 196 women (200 treated breasts) aged > or =70 years (median age, 72.5 years) were treated with breast-conserving therapy (lumpectomy or quadrantectomy with axillary lymph node dissection and radiotherapy). Pathologic axillary node involvement was found in 51 patients (28%). Two-thirds of patients received tamoxifen, and 16% received chemotherapy. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 59 months, 3 patients (1.5%) had developed local recurrence and 20 (10.2%) distant metastases. The overall survival rate was 81% and 62% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. The corresponding disease-specific survival rates were 92% and 88%. Axillary nodal involvement was the only statistically significant risk factor for the development of metastases (p = 0.0035). Arm mobility impairment and arm lymphedema each occurred in 5 patients. In another 5 patients, a thromboembolic event occurred during tamoxifen treatment. CONCLUSION: Elderly women tolerate breast-conserving therapy, including radiotherapy, well and have excellent rates of locoregional control and disease-specific survival.     

Ten-year results of accelerated hypofractionated adjuvant whole-breast radiation with concomitant boost to the lumpectomy cavity after conserving surgery for early breast cancer

Accelerated hypofractionated whole-breast radiotherapy (WBRT) is considered a standard therapeutic option for early breast cancer (EBC) in the postoperative setting after breast conservation (BCS). A boost to the lumpectomy cavity may further increase local control. We herein report on the 10-year results of a series of EBC patients treated after BCS with hypofractionated WBRT with a concomitant photon boost to the surgical bed over 4 weeks. Between 2005 and 2007, 178 EBC patients were treated with a basic course of radiotherapy consisting of 45 Gy to the whole breast in 20 fractions (2.25 Gy daily) with an additional boost dose of 0.25 Gy delivered concomitantly to the lumpectomy cavity, for an additional dose of 5 Gy. Median follow-up period was 117 months. At 10-year, overall, cancer-specific, disease-free survival and local control were 92.2% (95% CI 88.7–93.4%), 99.2% (95% CI 96.7–99.7%), 95.5% (95% CI 91.2–97.2%) and 97.3% (95% CI 94.5–98.9%), respectively. Only eight patients recurred. Four in-breast recurrences, two axillary node relapses and two metastatic localizations were observed. Fourteen patients died during the observation period due to other causes while breast cancer-related deaths were eight. At last follow-up, ≥G2 fibrosis and telangiectasia were seen in 7% and 5% of patients. No major lung and heart toxicities were observed. Cosmetic results were excellent/good in 87.8% of patients and fair/poor in 12.2%. Hypofractionated WBRT with concomitant boost to the lumpectomy cavity after BCS in EBC led to consistent clinical results at 10 years. Hence, it can be considered a valid treatment option in this setting.     

Economic evaluation of radiotherapy for early breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery in a health resource-limited setting

The primary objective was to assess the cost-effectiveness, from the Chinese societal perspective, of additional radiotherapy for women with early breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery (BCS). The Markov model was constructed to simulate women’s transitions across various health states based on the clinical course of breast cancer (no recurrence, local or distant recurrence, and death) and treatment strategy (radiotherapy vs. no-radiotherapy). The clinical and utility data were estimated from published studies. Costs were estimated from the perspective of Chinese society. Quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and incremental cost-effective ratios (ICERs) were determined. Probabilistic and one-way sensitivity analyses were performed. The addition of radiotherapy following BCS was associated with improved overall survival (22.20 vs. 19.51 years) and QALYs (13.25 vs. 11.75) and reduced lifetime costs ($24,518.9 vs. $25,147.0). The ICER of radiotherapy vs. no-radiotherapy was ?$420.56/QALY gained. Sensitivity, subgroup and scenario analyses indicated that these results were robust against plausible assumptions and variations. In health resource-limited settings, the addition of radiotherapy is a very cost-effective strategy in comparison to no-radiotherapy in women with early breast cancer.     

Randomized trial of breast irradiation schedules after lumpectomy for women with lymph node-negative breast cancer

BACKGROUND: Breast irradiation after lumpectomy is an integral component of breast-conserving therapy that reduces the local recurrence of breast cancer. Because an optimal fractionation schedule (radiation dose given in a specified number of fractions or treatment sessions over a defined time) for breast irradiation has not been uniformly accepted, we examined whether a 22-day fractionation schedule was as effective as the more traditional 35-day schedule in reducing recurrence. METHODS: Women with invasive breast cancer who were treated by lumpectomy and had pathologically clear resection margins and negative axillary lymph nodes were randomly assigned to receive whole breast irradiation of 42.5 Gy in 16 fractions over 22 days (short arm) or whole breast irradiation of 50 Gy in 25 fractions over 35 days (long arm). The primary outcome was local recurrence of invasive breast cancer in the treated breast. Secondary outcomes included cosmetic outcome, assessed with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Cosmetic Rating System. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: From April 1993 through September 1996, 1234 women were randomly assigned to treatment, 622 to the short arm and 612 to the long arm. Median follow-up was 69 months. Five-year local recurrence-free survival was 97.2% in the short arm and 96.8% in the long arm (absolute difference = 0.4%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -1.5% to 2.4%). No difference in disease-free or overall survival rates was detected between study arms. The percentage of patients with an excellent or good global cosmetic outcome at 3 years was 76.8% in the short arm and 77.0% in the long arm; the corresponding data at 5 years were 76.8% and 77.4%, respectively (absolute difference = -0.6%, 95% CI = -6.5% to 5.5%). CONCLUSION: The more convenient 22-day fractionation schedule appears to be an acceptable alternative to the 35-day schedule.     

Conservation treatment in subareolar breast cancers

The results of centromammary conservation in 37 patients with 20 mm-median-size breast cancer, located in the subareolararea (SAA), with an infiltration of the nipple-areolar-complex (NAC) in 12 patients and a retraction in 24, are reported. Breast conservative surgery was initially performed in 30 patients; five patients were first treated with chemotherapy; two patients received initial tamoxifen. Surgery comprised tumorectomy plus axillary dissection, with complete resection of the NAC (20 patients), or partial resection (nine patients), or without resection (eight patients). Post-operatively, all patients received 50 Gy external radiotherapy, with an additional external electron boost in 13 patients; 14 patients received adjuvant tamoxifen and two patients adjuvant chemotherapy. With a median follow-up of 49 months, one patient experienced a local failure and four a metastatic failure; 5-year overall actuarial survival and disease-free survival rates were 97'% and 75%. Cosmetic results were excellent in three patients, good in 25, and poor in seven. Breast conservation appears a satisfying treatment in small breast cancer located in SAA.     

Lumpectomy and breast irradiation for breast cancer arising after previous radiotherapy for Hodgkin's disease or lymphoma

Twelve women treated with radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy for Hodgkin's disease (11 patients) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (1 patient) and in whom breast cancer subsequently developed 10 to 29 years later were treated with lumpectomy and breast irradiation. 5,000 cGy/25-30 fractions to the whole breast and 900 cGy to 1.000 cGy/5 boost to the operative area. Six also received adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. Breast irradiation was well tolerated without any unusual acute or chronic sequelae. All women had a good to excellent cosmetic result. Ten women are alive and well 1 to 174 months (median: 46) from completion of breast irradiation. Two women died with distant metastasis but without local recurrence. Breast conservation therapy with radiotherapy is not contraindicated in the woman who has previously been treated with radiotherapy for Hodgkin's disease or lymphoma.     

早期乳腺癌保乳术后全乳大分割照射同步瘤床加量的临床分析

目的：观察早期乳腺癌保乳术后全乳大分割照射同步瘤床加量的短期疗效与不良反应。方法64例早期乳腺癌患者保乳术后行两野切线全乳照射,全乳腺照射40．5 Gy／15 f,单次剂量2．7 Gy／f,同步瘤床推量至48 Gy／15 f,单次剂量3．2 Gy／f,总疗程3周,观察分析患者局部复发情况、美容效果及不良反应。结果中位随访时间17月,随访率为100％,无局部复发情况发生。3例患者表现乳腺中度胀痛;Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ级急性皮肤反应发生率分别为17．2％、4．7％、1．6％;Ⅰ级血小板下降发生率与Ⅰ～Ⅱ级中性粒细胞减少发生率分别为1．6％、4．7％;放疗完成后4、7月美容优良率分别为90．6％、87．5％。结论早期乳腺癌保乳术后全乳放疗同步瘤床加量的短期疗效与以往常规放疗方式相似,缩短放疗时间,不会增加皮肤不良反应及降低美容效果。     

乳腺癌保乳术后化疗加调强放疗的疗效观察

目的 观察Ⅰ、Ⅱ期乳腺癌保乳术后化疗加调强放疗的疗效及副反应.方法 108例Ⅰ、Ⅱ期乳腺癌患者均行肿瘤扩大切除及腋窝淋巴结清扫的保乳术,大部分患者瘤床放置银夹标记.术后采用NE(诺维本+表阿霉素)或TE(紫杉醇+表阿霉素)或CEF(环磷酰胺+表阿霉素+氟尿嘧啶)方案化疗6周期.化疗后全乳接受调强放疗50 Gy分25次,瘤床电子线补量10 Gy分5次.ER/PR阳性的患者均给予三苯氧胺为主的内分泌治疗.结果 随访截至2007年12月,随访率为100%,随访满1、2、3年的例数分别为108、88、58例.1、2、3年生存率分别为100%(108/108)、100%(88/88)、98%(57/58),局部复发3例;放疗期间出现不同程度的皮肤反应,乳房远期外观形状良好,未出现放射性肺炎、肺纤维化及心脏损伤等副反应.结论 Ⅰ、Ⅱ期乳腺癌保乳术后化疗加调强放疗生存率高,复发转移少,副反应轻,达到了提高患者生存质量及局部控制率目的 .     

早期乳腺癌保乳术后瘤床同步加量短疗程放疗临床观察

目的 探讨早期乳腺癌保乳术后瘤床同步加量短疗程放疗疗效、不良反应以及美容效果。方法 2008—2010年本院收治早期乳腺癌保乳术后患者 306例,其中 160例行常规分割放疗(常规组),两野切线全乳照射,后续瘤床电子线推量,总疗程 46~48 d;146例行短疗程放疗(短程组),两野切线全乳照射,同步瘤床电子线推量,总疗程 30~32 d。Kaplan-Meier法计算生存率和局部复发率并Logrank检验差异,χ²检验两组资料可比性、不良反应及美容效果。结果 中位随访时间26个月,随访率为100%。两组1、2、3年生存率均为100%,均无局部复发(χ²=0.00,P=1.000)。常规组与短程组1、2级急性皮肤反应发生率分别为46.9%与45.1%(χ²=0.73,P=0.695)、16.3%与13.7%(χ²=0.73,P=0.695),1级皮肤及皮下组织晚期反应发生率分别为16.9%与17.1%(χ²=0.00,P=0.954);1级中性粒细胞减少发生率分别为11.9%与13.7%(χ²=0.23,P=0.633);美容优良率分别为66.2%与65.5%(χ²=0.01,P=0.927)。结论 保乳术后全乳放疗同步瘤床加量的短疗程方案与常规放疗的疗效相似,美容效果相当且未加重皮肤反应,但还需进一步研究。     

Lumpectomy with or without postoperative radiotherapy for breast cancer with favourable prognostic features: results of a randomized study

The aim of this trial was to study the value of adding post-operative radiotherapy to lumpectomy in a subgroup of breast cancer patients with favourable patient-, tumour-, and treatment-related prognostic features. 152 women aged over 40 with unifocal breast cancer seen in preoperative mammography were randomly assigned to lumpectomy alone (no-XRT group) or to lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy to the ipsilateral breast (50 Gy given within 5 weeks, XRT group). All cancers were required to be invasive node-negative, smaller than 2 cm in diameter and well or moderately differentiated, to contain no extensive intraductal component, to be progesterone receptor-positive, DNA diploid, have S-phase fraction 相似文献   

乳腺癌保乳术后放化疗５２例临床观察

目的　观察乳腺癌保乳术后放射治疗的疗效及毒副反应。方法　对可行保乳术的５２例患者行肿瘤切除或加腋窝淋巴结清扫,术后采用放疗联合辅助化疗。６ＭＶ-Ｘ线全乳腺双切线半野照射,照射剂量４５～５０Ｇｙ,局部瘤床采用１０～１５ＭｅＶβ线加量１０～２０Ｇｙ,总剂量５６～６６Ｇｙ;化疗采用ＣＡＦ或ＴＥ方案。结果　５２例患者均获随访,其１、２和３年生存率分别为９８.１％、９２.３％和９０.４％,３年局部复发率为５.７7％,乳房美容满意率达９０.４％。４０例（７６.９％）患者发生了１、２级放化疗毒副反应,主要为白细胞减少。结论　早期乳腺癌采用保乳手术加放化疗可取得满意疗效,且保留乳房的美容效果佳。     

乳腺癌保乳术后同步加量调强放疗的临床疗效

目的:探讨乳腺癌保乳术后同步加量调强放疗的疗效、不良反应及美容效果。方法:2008年~2010年收治乳腺癌保乳术后患者78例,其中38例行瘤床同步加量调强放疗（A组）,剂量分割方案为全乳50Gy/25次（2Gy/次）,瘤床同步加量至60Gy/25次（2.4Gy/次）,总疗程33~35天;40例行常规分割调强放疗（B组）,剂量分割方案为全乳50Gy/25次,后续瘤床推量10Gy/5次（2Gy/次）,总疗程40~42天。应用Kaplan-Meier法生存分析,Log-rank法检验差异。结果:中位随访时间为73个月,随访率为100%。两组5年总生存率均为100%。A组和B组5年局部无复发生存率、无病生存率分别为97.4%、97.5%（P=0.978）;97.4%、95.0%（P=0.589)。A组和B组1、2级急性皮肤反应发生率分别为57.9%、52.5%(P＝0.632); 13.2%、12.5%(P＝0.931);A组和B组的1级皮肤及皮下组织晚期反应发生率分别为15.8%、15.0%（P=0.932）;1级白细胞减少发生率分别为7.9%、10.0%（P=0.745）。A组和B组在放疗前、放疗后3、5年美容效果优良率分别为86.8%、87.5%（P=0.931）;84.2%、85.0%（P=0.932）;81.6%、82.5%（P=0.916）。结论:保乳术后同步加量调强放疗的疗效与常规分割调强放疗相似,美容效果及不良反应相当。     

乳腺癌保乳术+化疗后动态调强放疗的临床观察

目的 观察乳腺癌保乳术+化疗后动态调强放疗的疗效和美容效果.方法 117例乳腺癌患者保乳术后先行4～6周期化疗再三维适形(6例)和动态调强放疗(111例).化疗分别采用CAF(环磷酰胺+多柔比星+氟尿嘧啶)、AC(多柔比星+环磷酰胺)、TA(紫杉醇+多柔比星)、NE(长春瑞滨+表阿霉素)、TX(紫杉醇+卡培他滨)方案.放疗采用6 MV-X线全乳腺调强放疗50Gy,瘤床电子线外照射加量10 Gy;其中68例患者锁骨上预防性照射50 Gy,42例肿块位于内侧象限的同时照射内乳淋巴引流区,锁骨上区、内乳区及胸壁均包在一个靶区里.雌、孕激素受体阳性加用内分泌治疗.治疗结束后6～12个月由2位医师评分评价美容效果.结果 随访至2009年9月,随访率为94.0%,随访满3、5年者分别为114、91例.全组3生存率为99.1%,5年生存率为96%,5年无瘤生存率为88%,局部复发率为3.6%,美容效果满意者为100%.放疗中及放疗结束后未出现明显放射性心肺等重要脏器损伤.结论 乳腺保乳术+化疗后胸壁动态调强放疗使靶区得到更均匀照射,有望提高局部控制率和生存率并降低正常组织并发症、肿瘤复发率.     

乳腺癌保留乳房术后大分割调强放疗初步临床观察

目的：观察早期乳腺癌保留乳房术后三维适形放疗（three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy,3-DCRT）、常规分割调强放疗（intensity-modulated radiotherapy,IMRT）及大分割调强放疗（hypo-fractionated intensity-modulated radiotherapy,hIMRT）的疗效、不良反应及美容效果。方法：选择2009～02—01—2013-01—31潍坊市人民医院放疗科早期乳腺癌保留乳房术后女性患者66例,根据患者意愿分别纳入3-DCRT、IMRT或kIMRT组行放疗。3DCRT组采用6Mv_X射线切线野照射,全乳腺Dr50Gy／25次,2Gy／次,后续9／12MeV电子线予瘤床区补量10Gy／5次,2Gy／次;IMRT组：采用逆向动态调强技术,以切线野方向为调强主野的入射方向,全乳腺50Gy／25次,2Gy／次,瘤床区用X射线同步加量至60Gy／25次,2．4Gy／次,或全乳腺放疗结束后行电子线补量（方式及剂量同3DCRT）;h-IMRT组：全乳腺42．5Gy／16次,2．66Gy／次,瘤床区同步X射线加量至48Gy。结果：3-DCRT组、IMRT组、h_IMRT组分别入组46、12和8例,中位随访23．9个月（2．1～48．0个月）,3组患者免疫组化结果、病理类型、TNM分期、放化疗顺序及化疗方案、年龄、手术与术后’放疗时间间隔、肿瘤最大径和腋窝淋巴结转移数目差异均无统计学意义,P〉0．05;3组放疗时间差异有统计学意义,P〈O．01,其中h-IMRT组周期最短。单变量一般线性模型三因素方差分析显示,放疗前后乳头纵向、横向位置,乳房横径,乳根位置差异均无统计学意义,P〉O．05;保留乳房术后患者健侧乳头比患侧低,P〈0．05;3组间乳头横向位置和乳房横径差异有统计学意义,P〈O．05。3组患者均发生不同程度的急性血液系统和皮肤反应,但差异无统计学意义,P〉0．05,无Ⅲ度及更严重的急性放射性皮肤反应,均未影响放疗计划的顺利进行。结论：短期随访结果显示,早期乳腺癌保留乳房术后大分割调强放疗组可以明显缩短放疗时间,未加重血液系统及皮肤急性毒副作用,未增加局部复发风险,未降低总生存,未降低美容效果,很有可能成为中国女性早期乳腺癌保留乳房术后安全有效的放疗模式。     

Shoulder and arm problems after radiotherapy for primary breast cancer

There is little, if any, difference in disease-free or overall survival for patients with stage I and II breast cancer treated by either breast conservation therapy or mastectomy. With either treatment, there may be cosmetic and functional problems related to arm edema, limited shoulder motion, and shoulder pain. The extent to which factors such as surgery, radiotherapy, systemic therapy, and patient characteristics affect development of arm edema, limited shoulder motion, and shoulder pain is not well documented. We undertook a prospective study of arm edema, limited shoulder motion, and shoulder pain in every patient (N = 331) seen during a 6-month period for follow-up after radiotherapy postlumpectomy or mastectomy for primary breast cancer. Local treatment included lumpectomy and breast irradiation with (n = 232) or without (n = 97) axillary dissection. Ten other women underwent mastectomy and postoperative radiotherapy. Doses to each region treated were 50 Gy in 25 fractions. The operative area was treated with an additional 1,000 Gy in approximately 60% of patients. Twelve patients received axillary irradiation without axillary dissection, and 11 patients received supraclavicular irradiation. Chemotherapy with or without tamoxifen was used in 71 patients and tamoxifen alone was used in 150 patients. One hundred ten patients did not receive any adjuvant therapy. Ipsilateral arm edema occurred in 20 women (6.0%), limited ipsilateral shoulder motion in 5 (1.5%), and ipsilateral shoulder pain in 5 (1.5%). Edema was mild (1+) in 15 patients and moderate (2+) in five patients. Multivariate analysis revealed that the risk of arm edema was significantly increased in black women (p = 0.005, 4/18 versus 16/313 whites) and with mastectomy (p = 0.048, 2/10 versus 18/321 with lumpectomy). There is a low incidence of arm edema, decreased range of motion of the ipsilateral shoulder, and shoulder-arm pain in patients undergoing postlumpectomy or postmastectomy radiotherapy. The risk of arm edema is increased in black women and in patients after mastectomy as opposed to lumpectomy.     

Conservative surgery and radiotherapy for stage I/II breast cancer using lung density correction: 10-year and 15-year results

PURPOSE: Radiotherapy (RT) planning for breast cancer using lung density correction improves dose homogeneity. Its use obviates the need for a medial wedge, thus reducing scatter to the opposite breast. Although lung density correction is used at many centers in planning for early-stage breast cancer, long-term results of local control and survival have not been reported. Since 1984, we have used lung density correction for dose calculations at the University of Michigan. We now present our 10-year and 15-year results. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The records of 867 patients with Stage I/II breast cancer treated with breast-conserving surgery and RT with or without systemic therapy were reviewed. Tangential fields delivering 45-50 Gy to the whole breast calculated using lung density correction were used. A boost was added in 96.8% of patients for a total median dose of 61.8 Gy. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 6.6 years (range, 0.2-18.9 years), 5-, 10-, and 15-year actuarial rates of in-breast tumor recurrence as only first failure were 2.2%, 3.6%, and 5.4%, respectively. With surgical salvage, the 15-year cumulative rate of local control was 99.7%. Factors that significantly predicted for increased rate of local recurrence in multivariate analysis were age 相似文献   

Early breast cancer with positive margins: excellent local control with an upfront brachytherapy boost

Standard breast conservation therapy consists of lumpectomy and whole breast radiation with boost. The effectiveness of radiation in cases of positive margins is controversial. Two potential treatment-related factors are time to initiation of radiation and localization of the boost. Here, we examine long-term outcomes of positive margin cases treated with an upfront interstitial brachytherapy boost. This particular treatment arrangement may reduce those treatment-related effects on local control. Historically, a low dose interstitial implant was a common boost technique. One approach administered the boost before external beam. A review of 521 cases treated at our institution was conducted. Patients were selected for this study if they received an upfront brachytherapy boost and had close or positive margins. Forty-four breast cancers were identified. Median follow-up of survivors was 11.3 years (8.1-21.7). Implant was performed at lumpectomy (12) or axillary dissection (32). Margin statuses were: focal carcinoma at ink (37), multifocal carcinoma at ink (1), carcinoma <1 mm from ink (2), and DCIS at ink (4). Median tumor size was 1.2 cm (0.5-3.5 cm). Ten patients had nodal involvement. Total median dose was 60 Gy (58.6-65.3 Gy). Median boost dose was 15 Gy (12-20.3 Gy). Lumpectomy to boost interval was median of 3 weeks (0-10.8). No ipsilateral breast recurrences or second primaries were identified. Four developed contralateral breast cancer. Eleven are deceased, four from breast cancer-all from metastasis. 12-year Kaplan-Meier estimates were: overall survival 78 ± 7 %, cause specific survival 93 ± 4 %, and recurrence-free survival 82 ± 6 %. Univariate analysis identified nodal disease as significant for cause specific survival (log rank p = 0.005). No ipsilateral breast recurrences were found. Early administered radiation and accurate boost localization were identified as suspected treatment-related factors for local recurrence. When these two treatment-related factors are minimized, long-term local control rates do not suffer.     

Cyclin D1 expression in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant tamoxifen-based therapy.

PURPOSE: The objective of our study was to determine the clinical relevance of cyclin D1 expression in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients who were treated with tamoxifen-based therapy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We assessed expression of cyclin D1 in surgical specimens of breast carcinoma by means of immunohistochemistry. Patients had been enrolled in either Austrian Breast and Colorectal Cancer Study Group (ABCSG) Trial 05 or ABCSG Trial 06 and received tamoxifen as part of their adjuvant treatment. Overall survival and relapse-free survival were analyzed with Cox models adjusted for clinical and pathologic factors. RESULTS: Cyclin D1 was expressed in 140 of 253 (55%) tumors of ABCSG Trial 05 and in 569 of 948 (60%) tumors of ABCSG Trial 06. Expression of cyclin D1 was associated with poor outcome in both cohorts. Overall survival was significantly shorter in patients with cyclin D1-positive tumors compared with patients with cyclin D1-negative tumors [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for death (ABCSG Trial 05), 2.47; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.08-5.63; P = 0.03; adjusted HR for death (ABCSG Trial 06), 1.78; 95% CI, 1.36-2.34; P < 0.0001]. Relapse-free survival was also shorter in patients with cyclin D1-positive tumors than in patients with cyclin D1-negative tumors [adjusted HR for relapse (ABCSG Trial 05), 2.73; 95% CI, 1.50-4.96; P = 0.001; adjusted HR for relapse (ABCSG Trial 06), 1.52; 95% CI, 1.14-2.04; P = 0.005]. CONCLUSION: Cyclin D1 expression is an independent poor prognostic factor in women with early-stage, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer who received adjuvant tamoxifen-based therapy.     

Randomized clinical trial to assess the value of breast-conserving therapy in stage I and II breast cancer, EORTC 10801 trial.

In a prospective randomized clinical trial conducted by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), mastectomy was compared with breast-conserving therapy in 903 stage I and stage II breast cancer patients entering the study between 1980 and 1986. The main participating centers were: Guy's Hospital, London; The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam; University Hospital, Leuven; Radiotherapy Institute, Rotterdam; Breast Unit, Tijgerberg, S.A. The data were collected in the EORTC Data Center, Brussels. Treatment in the study arm consisted of lumpectomy, axillary clearance, and radiotherapy to the breast (50 Gy external irradiation in 5 weeks followed by boost with iridium implant of 25 Gy). Important in this study is the large number of TNM stage II patients (755). Most patients were stage II because of the size of the tumor (2-5 cm). The patient and tumor characteristics in the study and control groups were well balanced. So far the survival curves and local recurrence rates are not statistically different for the two study arms. Tumor size was found in univariate analysis to be a significant risk factor for local recurrence in the breast-conserving therapy group but not in the mastectomy group. Results of salvage treatment for local recurrence were not better for the breast-conserving therapy group compared with the mastectomy group. Measurements of quality of life and cosmesis show a clear benefit for the breast-conserving therapy group.