Primary soft tissue sarcomas of the breast: local-regional control with post-operative radiotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
A retrospective analysis was undertaken to determine the efficacy of postoperative radiotherapy in patients with primary sarcoma of the breast.


METHODS
Ten patients with high-grade nonmetastatic primary sarcoma of the breast were treated at the National Cancer Institute, NIH, between 1979 and 1989 with mastectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy. Chemotherapy was given to three patients as part of a randomized trial.


RESULTS
With a median potential followup of 99 months postoperatively, seven patients remain alive and without evidence of disease 142, 119, 82, 48, 45, 28, and 19 months postoperatively. Three patients died of metastatic disease 7, 25, and 29 months, postoperatively. There were no local or regional failures. Actuarial 5-year disease free and overall survival were 68% and 66%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Sarcomas of the breast have a prognosis similar to that of extremity sarcomas. When adjuvant radiotherapy is used, excellent local control may be achieved.
Johnstone
P A
PA
Radiation Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Pierce
L J
LJ
Merino
M J
MJ
Yang
J C
JC
Epstein
A H
AH
DeLaney
T F
TF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy; D015411:Mastectomy, Modified Radical; D015409:Mastectomy, Radical; D015413:Mastectomy, Simple; D008875:Middle Aged; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery