title: Guidelines for systemic therapy of early stage breast cancer.
abstract: Optimal treatment of early stage breast cancer remains an active area of study. An expert multidisciplinary committee reviewed clinical data on systemic therapy for early stage, stage I and II breast cancer. Guidelines for treatment were developed for Texas Oncology. P.A., the largest private practice group of oncologists in the United States. This group of physicians treats approximately 5000 new breast cancer patients each year and has a major impact on oncology care in the state of Texas. These guidelines identify prognostic factors which help the practitioner in choosing treatment for patients. Subsets of patients are identified for whom no systemic therapy is warrented. Standard chemotherapy and hormonal therapy regimens are outlined for patients with early stage disease at increased risk for relapse. Dose intensification for high risk stage II patients is reviewed. Timing of therapy and the sequencing of chemotherapy and radiation therapy is addressed. Strategies for the follow-up of patients with a history of breast cancer are outlined.
authors.affiliation: Texas Oncology, P.A., University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75246, USA.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Blum
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Fay
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Senzer
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Mennel
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005260:Female; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008593:Menopause; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011331:Private Practice / Q000592:standards*; D011379:Prognosis; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013781:Texas; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D013629:Tamoxifen