[Epidemiological study of the GEICAM group about breast cancer in Spain (1990-1993): El Alamo project].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the El Alamo project was to define the demographic and clinic characteristics, treatment and evolution of women with invasive breast cancer diagnosed in hospitals of the GEICAM group (Spanish Breast Cancer Research Group) between 1990 and 1993.


METHODS
Data from 4,532 patients were included. Forms were completed according to the medical history of patients, and collected in the GEICAM scientific office, where they were added to a data base.


RESULTS
32 hospitals from 19 provinces and 11 regional communities participated in the study. Mean age of the 4,532 patients was 56.72 years, 1,428 (31.5%) were premenopausal and 2,988 (65.9%) were postmenopausal. Stage II tumors were most frequent (55.5%). Among patients with stage I, II and III at diagnosis, surgery was the first treatment in most (90.7%), radical mastectomy being the most frequent procedure performed (79.7%). 70.4% of 1941 patients with positive axillary node and 37.4% of 1,806 patients without axillary affection received adjuvant chemotherapy with or without hormone therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
El Alamo project represents the largest data base on breast cancer in Spain and the results are similar to those observed in other countries such as the USA.
Martín
Miguel
M
Servicio de Oncología Médica, Hospital Universitario San Carlos, Madrid, Spain. mmartin@geicam.org
Llombart-Cussac
Antonio
A
Lluch
Ana
A
Alba
Emilio
E
Munárriz
Blanca
B
Tusquets
Ignacio
I
Barnadas
Agustí
A
Balil
Anna
A
Dorta
Javier
J
Picó
César
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D015996:Survival Rate