[Radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery in the treatment of breast cancer: early results from a non-university hospital in Norway].
BACKGROUND
In 1998 the first radiotherapy unit located outside a university hospital in Norway was established at Rogaland Central Hospital.


METHODS
Results from 222 consecutive patients treated between June 1999 and March 2002 are presented. Median time to follow up was 25 months (range 8-41). All patients underwent a lumpectomy combined with a complete axillary dissection or a sentinel node biopsy. The entire breast was irradiated using 6MV photon energy to a total dose of 50 Gy.


RESULTS
As of October 2002, there has not been registered any local breast failures. Three patients developed distant metastases and subsequently died from their disease. Contralateral breast cancer has occurred in one patient. The relative number of patients treated with breast conservation therapy, as compared to the total number of patients operated, has not changed after a unit of radiotherapy was established locally.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings show that radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery can be performed safely in a non-university hospital such as Rogaland Central Hospital.
Mjaaland
Ingvil
I
mjin@sir.no
Dybvik
Kjell Ivar
KI
Heikkilä
Reino
R
Nysted
Arne
A
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000592:standards*; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy / Q000592:standards*