Local Control of Breast Cancer with Tumorectomy Plus Radiotherapy or Radiotherapy Alone

Abstract

Fifty-eight cases of breast cancer treated primarily by radiotherapy were evaluated to determine the optimum dose for local control. Of 36 patients with T1 + T2 lesions who had tumorectomy prior to radiotherapy, incomplete excision of the tumor was demonstrated on microscopic examination in 18. The minimum tumor dose to the breast was 4500 rads in 5 wk. Treatment failed to control local tumor in only 2 (5%) and metastases in 1. Twenty-six (72%) remained disease-free for 2-9 yr. Of the 22 patients with T3 + T4 lesions, treatment failed to control local tumor and metastases in 12 (54%). In those who received 6000 rads or less in 6 wk, treatment failed to control any of these lesions. A dose of 4500-5500 rads controlled the tumor in 95% of those with NO + N1 disease, compared to only half of those with N2 + N3 tumors.