Preliminary Result of Concurrent Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy in Stage I and II Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Breast Conservation Surgery.
- Author:
Sung Boo HWANG
1
;
Sehwan HAN
;
Hyun Suk SUH
;
Sung Rok KIM
;
Hong Yong KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Surgery, Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Randomized Controlled Trial
- Keywords:
Breast cancer;
Conservation surgery;
Chemotherapy;
Radiation therapy;
Toxicity
- MeSH:
Arm;
Breast Neoplasms*;
Breast*;
Consensus;
Drug Therapy*;
Edema;
Humans;
Incidence;
Liver;
Mastectomy, Segmental;
Neoplasm Metastasis;
Neutropenia;
Prospective Studies;
Radiotherapy*
- From:Journal of the Korean Surgical Society
2000;59(4):458-462
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Breast conserving surgery is increasingly performed in early stage breast cancer patients. A certain propotion of these patients are at substantial risk for systemic metastasis. However, there is no valid consensus about optimal sequencing of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. METHODS: We conducted a randomized prospective study to investigate whether concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy after breast conserving surgery are associated with increased toxicity. Fifty-seven patients with stage I or II breast cancer were randomly assigned to receive CMF chemotherpy either simultaneously with (n=37) or before (n=20) radiation therapy. RESULTS: Moist desquamation was the most common adverse effect which occurred in 46% (16/37) of the patients treated with concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy and 40% (8/20) of those treated with the sequential regimen. This difference between two groups was not statistically significant. Also the incidence of severe neutropenia (WBC<1,800) or abnormal elevation of liver enzymes was not influenced by the sequencing of the adjuvant therapies. Arm edema was observed in 2 patients of the concurrent group and in 2 patients of the sequential regimen. Two patients treated with the concurrent regimen did not complete 6 cycles of chemotherapy while only one patient treated with sequential regimen did not. The incidence of toxicity during chemotherapy was not altered by the timing of radiation therapy. CONCLUSION: Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can be given concurrently after breast conserving surgery in stage I or II breast cancer patients without increase in serious toxicity.
