Tumour excision plus continuous tamoxifen compared with modified radical mastectomy in patients over 70 years of age with operable breast cancer.
Between 1985 and 1991, we randomly assigned 77 women over the age of 70 years with stage I-3a breast cancer to undergo a modified radical mastectomy or tumour excision followed by tamoxifen. Median follow-up was 45 months. Patients treated by tumour excision and tamoxifen had a significantly better survival (P = 0.04). The disease-free survival of the tumour excision and tamoxifen group was close to significantly better (P = 0.10). Only two patients in the tamoxifen group required an axillary dissection on follow-up for progressive nodal enlargement. Two patients underwent a local mastectomy for locally recurrent disease. We conclude that tumour excision followed by continuous tamoxifen is an acceptable, safe alternative to a modified radical mastectomy in patients over 70 years of age.
van Zyl
J A
JA
Department of Surgery, Tygerberg Hospital, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Muller
A G
AG
D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015411:Mastectomy, Modified Radical; D011300:Preoperative Care; D015996:Survival Rate; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D013629:Tamoxifen