Breast conservation following induction chemotherapy for locally advanced carcinoma of the breast (stages IIB and III). A surgical perspective.
We have now employed induction chemotherapy in almost 200 women with locally advanced breast carcinoma. Significant tumor regression has been noted in a majority of patients, 85%, permitting definitive local treatment with greater success than heretofore expected. Breast conservation has been offered to a larger proportion of these women as we have gained experience with this technique, with outcome equivalent to that of mastectomy in these highly selected patients. Our previously dismal outlook for patients with advanced local disease has been replaced by a more optimistic attitude. Our achievements with this initial group of patients and currently with stage II patients as well is most encouraging. Breast conservation has been offered to a larger proportion of these women, with outcome equivalent to mastectomy. We hope that our limited but encouraging experience with these patients will stimulate other investigators to embark upon similar studies of induction chemotherapy for women with stages II and III, and even earlier, breast cancer.
Department of Surgery, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
G F
GF
Schwartz
A K
AK
Lange
A K
AK
Topham
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009367:Neoplasm Staging