Long-term follow-up of a randomized trial on adjuvant chemotherapy and hormonal therapy in locally advanced breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects on survival, disease-free survival, and locoregional control of adjuvant hormonal and chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced breast cancer after a minimal follow-up period of 14 years.


METHODS
A total of 118 patients were randomized between radiotherapy alone (arm I); radiotherapy, 12 courses of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil (CMF), and tamoxifen (arm II); adriamycine, vincristine (AV) alternated with CMF, then radiotherapy, followed by four cycles of chemotherapy (AV/CMF); and tamoxifen during the entire treatment period (arm III).


RESULTS
No improvement in survival, disease-free survival, or locoregional control was observed. After 6 years of follow-up, the overall survival curves grew apart, resulting in differences in 10-year survival rates: 15% (confidence interval-3%, 33%) between arms III and I.


CONCLUSIONS
Owing to the relatively small numbers of patients involved, the relative value of the three treatment modalities cannot be established completely.
Koning
C
C
Radiotherapy Department, Westeinde Hospital, Lijnbaan, The Hague, The Netherlands.
Hart
G
G
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D015996:Survival Rate; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil; D008727:Methotrexate