Post mastectomy radiation for large node negative breast cancer: time for a second look.
Patients with node negative and large primary tumors ≥5cm comprise a rare entity of breast cancer patients for which clear management guidelines are not available. Data about the rates of loco-regional failures (LRF) in this patient population are scarce and reporting widely varying observations. Post Mastectomy Radiation Therapy (PMRT) for this group of patients is controversial. In this review we examined the available literature discussing the LRF rates in this clinical setting and the value of adding PMRT in their management.
Radiation Oncology Department, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Rimoun
R
Boutrus
Alphonse G
AG
Taghian
D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000601:surgery*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008408:Mastectomy