Treatment of Primary Breast Cancer Without Mastectomy

Abstract

Between 1977 and 1983, 150 women with primary breast cancer, ranging in age from 26 to 84, were treated with a breast-sparing procedure involving lumpectomy, axillary node dissection, external beam radiotherapy, and 192-iridium implant. Median follow-up to date is 46+ months, with a range of 14 to 96+ months. All surviving patients have been followed for a minimum of 24+ months. Actuarial disease-free survival projected to 8 years is 79% for the entire group, 100% for the five noninfiltrating intraductal cancer patients, 97% for the 71 Stage I patients, and 68% for the 74 Stage II patients. Eighteen of the 150 patients (12%) have developed local recurrences thus far. Five (3%) have developed second, nonbreast, primary tumors. This community-based study, examined together with other published reports of similar procedures and compared to published results following mastectomy, helps confirm lumpectomy-radiotherapy as a legitamate approach to the management of primary breast cancer.