Adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy in breast cancer: 30 year follow-up of survival

McArdle, C.S., McMillan, D.C. , Greenlaw, N. and Morrison, D.S. (2010) Adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy in breast cancer: 30 year follow-up of survival. BMC Cancer, 10(1), p. 398. (doi: 10.1186/1471-2407-10-398)

Abstract

BACKGROUND:The long term outcome (more than 15 years) of adjuvant treatment in patients with primary operable breast cancer has rarely been examined.METHODS:A randomised clinical trial of radiotherapy, chemotherapy (28 day cycles of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil) or both on women with primary operable breast cancer (n = 322) was followed-up for a median of 27 years.RESULTS:260 (81%) patients died, 204 (78%) from breast cancer. Cancer specific survival (SE) at 10 years, 20 years and 30 years was 41 (3)%, 34 (3)% and 33 (3)% respectively. Presence of more than 3 involved lymph nodes increased cancer-specific mortality (HR 1.88, 95% CI 1.34-2.63) after adjustment for age, socio-economic deprivation and adjuvant treatment. Both age (HR 1.63, 95% CI 1.19-2.22) and involved lymph nodes (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.17-2.14) were significant predictors of all-cause mortality after adjustment for other factors. There was no significant difference in all-cause or cancer-specific survival between patients in each of the 3 treatment arms.CONCLUSIONS:The present study highlights the long term impact of node positive disease but does not indicate that any regimen was associated with significantly better long-term survival

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Morrison, Dr David and McMillan, Professor Donald and Greenlaw, Miss Nicola
• Authors: McArdle, C.S., McMillan, D.C., Greenlaw, N., and Morrison, D.S.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Robertson Centre; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Centre for Population and Health Sciences; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Clinical Specialities
• Journal Name: BMC Cancer
• ISSN: 1471-2407