Conservative treatment of early carcinoma of the breast: Significance of axillary dissection and iridium implant

• Published in: Radiotherapy and oncology Vol. 3; no. 1; pp. 17 - 22
• Main Authors: Gerard, J.P., Montbarbon, J.F., Chassard, J.L., Romestaing, P., Ardiet, J.M., Delaroche, G., Talon, B., Papillon, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier Ireland Ltd 1985
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Axilla; Axillary dissection; Booster dose; Brachytherapy; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - mortality; Breast Neoplasms - therapy; Conservative treatment; Female; Humans; Iridium - administration & dosage; Lymph Node Excision; Lymphatic Metastasis; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Radiotherapy Dosage; Booster dose; Axillary dissection; Breast cancer; Conservative treatment
• ISSN: 0167-8140; 1879-0887
• DOI: 10.1016/S0167-8140(85)80004-9

One hundred and ninety five patients with T 1T 2<3 cm N 0 infiltrating carcinomas of the breast have been treated between 1973 and 1982 with local excision followed by cobalt irradiation and iridium boost. One hundred and sixty five underwent an elective axillary dissection. The overall survival at 5 years is 87% and the NED survival 81%. The size of the tumor on the mammogram and on, the operative specimen is of significant prognostic value. At 5 years the probability of local relapse in the breast is 4% and the probability of axillary recurrence is 1.2% after axillary dissection. Comparison of these results with those of an historical group of 300 patients treated between 1950 and 1973 indicates an improvement in the local control with good cosmetic results and no obvious change in axillary recurrence and overall survival.