title: Local control of breast cancer with tumorectomy plus radiotherapy or radiotherapy alone.
abstract: 58 cases of breast cancer treated primarily by radiotherapy were evaluated to determine the optimum dose for local control. Of 36 patients with T1 + T2 lesions who had tumorectomy prior to radiotherapy, incomplete excision of tumor was demonstrated on microscopic examination in 18. The minimum tumor dose to the breast was 4,500 rads in 5 weeks. Treatment failed to control local tumor in only 2 (5%) and metastases in 1.26 (72%) remained disease-free for 2 to 9 years. Of the 22 patients with T3 + T4 lesions, treatment failed to control both local tumor and metastases in 12 (54%); in those who received 6,000 rads or less in 6 weeks, treatment failed to control any of these lesions. 4,500-5,500 rads controlled the tumor in 95% of those with NO + N1 disease, compared to only half of those with N2 + N3 tumors.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011867:Radioisotope Teletherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes