Responses to concurrent radiotherapy and hormone-therapy and outcome for large breast cancers in post-menopausal women.
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to evaluate responses and outcome of hormone-therapy (HT) and radiotherapy (RT) given concurrently for large breast cancers in post-menopausal women.


METHODS
Forty-two breast carcinomas in 41 women were treated with HT and concurrent RT to the breast +/- lymph node bearing areas. For 30 tumours this was followed by breast surgery (with axillary lymph node dissection when the axilla had not been irradiated). RT delivered a median dose to the tumour of 50 Gy (48-66) and 75 Gy (65-84) for, respectively, preoperative and exclusive RT-HT. Median follow-up was 64 months.


RESULTS
Out of 42 clinically assessable tumours (after a mean dose of 50 Gy), 9 tumours (21%) had complete clinical responses, 24 (57%) partial responses, 9 (21%) stable disease. Breast-conserving surgery or exclusive RT-HT was possible in 74% of tumours. For 29 patients who underwent breast surgery, the rate of pathological complete responses was 17%. At 50 Gy no skin toxicity higher than grade 2 occurred. Five year OS, RFS and local control were, respectively, 85%, 84% and 97%. Lymphoedema occurred in one patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Concurrent association of RT-HT demonstrated good efficacy, both in terms of clinical and pathological complete responses. It allowed breast conservation with acceptable tolerance and good 5-year local control.
Bollet
Marc A
MA
Department of Radiation Oncology, Institut Curie, 26 rue d'Ulm, Paris cedex 05, France. marc.bollet@curie.net
Kirova
Youlia M
YM
Antoni
Guillemette
G
Pierga
Jean-Yues
JY
Sigal-Zafrani
Brigitte
B
Laki
Fatima
F
Campana
François
F
Dendale
Rémi
R
Salmon
Rémy
R
Cottu
Paul
P
Fourquet
Alain
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000077384:Anastrozole; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009570:Nitriles / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017698:Postmenopause; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014230:Triazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D009570:Nitriles; D014230:Triazoles; D013629:Tamoxifen; D000077384:Anastrozole