[Tumor regression as a prognostic factor in breast cancer].

Two hundred and fifty evaluable patients with breast cancer entered a protocol combining neoadjuvant and consolidation therapy by vinblastine (V), thiotepa (T), methotrexate (m) and 5-fluorouracil (f) (VTMF) with or without Adriamycin (A) (Doxorubicin; Adria Laboratories, Colombus, OH USA), and radiation therapy as exclusive locoregional treatment. Tamoxifen was given to 195 patients, 130 post menopausal and 65 pre-menopausal, and was omitted in 55 patients (31 postmenopausal and 24 pre-menopausal). There were 19 stage I, 86 IIa, 51 IIB, 36 IIIA and 58 IIIB. Primary chemotherapy induced tumor volume regression of more than 75% in 41% of the patients and complete clinical regression in 30% of the patients. The 5 years DFS rates were 100% for stage I, 82% for stage IIA, 61% for stage IIB, 46% for stage IIIA and 52% for stage IIIB patients. Among the 72 primary relapses there were 39 distant metastases, 6 locoregional and distant metastasis and 27 isolated locoregional metastases. The actuarial rate of locoregional recurrence is 13% for T2, 18% for T3, 19% for T4. At 5 years the rate of breast preservation was 94%. Cosmetic results are excellent or good for most patients. The 5 years overall survival (OS) were 95% for stage I, 94% for stage IA, 80% for stage IIB, 60% for stage IIIA and 58% for stage IIIB. In multivariate analysis tumor regression appears as an independent and significant factor. This parameter should be preserved in many patients with infiltrative breast cancer.

Duke Scholars

Author Cecil Orm Borel III Anesthesiology, Neuroanesthesia