Biopsy and definitive radiation therapy in stages I and II carcinoma of the female breast.
One hundred-twenty patients with Stages I and II carcinoma of the female breast were treated by biopsy followed by definitive radiation therapy without mastectomy. The breast received 4500-5000 cGy (rad) using a 6 MV linear accelerator followed by a supplement to the area of the primary tumor of 2000 cGy (rad) using electrons in 99 patients (83%) and interstitial implantation in 21 patients (17%). Local recurrence was not recorded in the 43 patients with Stage I disease, while three of 77 patients (4%) with Stage II disease suffered a local recurrence. The actuarial five-year relapse-free survival was 91% and 60% in Stages I and II respectively. Cosmetic results were considered excellent by both physician and patient in the majority of cases. Axillary dissection was the recommended method of staging the axilla but was noted to be more morbid than axillary sampling. Electrons may be as effective as interstitial implantation as a means of supplementation following external beam therapy if specific guidelines are followed.
D000206:Actuarial Analysis; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001365:Axilla; D001706:Biopsy; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D004583:Electrons; D004601:Elementary Particles; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy / Q000009:adverse effects