METHODS
A total of 197 stage I-III breast cancer patients (mean age 51; range 18 to 80 years) treated and followed up by Okmeydanı Training Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology in 1995 were evaluated retrospectively.
RESULTS
The 41.1% of patients were premenopausal and the remaining were postmenopausal. Invasive ductal carcinoma was encountered as the most frequent (85.8%) histopathologic type of tumor and most frequent (%49.7) stage was IIB. Modified radical mastectomy was performed on 65% of patients. In adjuvant treatment, cyclophosphamide- methotrexate-fluorouracil combinations and anthracycline containing combinations were given to 46.7% and 23.4% of patients respectively. In addition, endocrine therapy and radiotherapy was carried out on the 75.6% and 69.0% of patients. Local recurrences was occurred in a rate of 13.2% and distant metastases were observed in a rate of 26.4% and 7.1% of patients had both local recurrences and distant metastases. The 60.9% of patients were disease free and 1% with local recurrences also they were followed-up for a median time of 89 months (4-108). The overall survival rate and disease free survival rates for 5 and 8 years were as follows; 68%, 61%, 66%, and 60% respectively. With one variable analysis increased number of involved axillary lymph nodes, tumor size and stage gave rise to reduced overall survival rate and disease free survival rate. With multiple variable analysis, number of involved axillary lymph nodes (p=0.001) and tumor size (p=0.001) had significant effect on overall survival rate and disease free survival rate.
CONCLUSION
The tumor size and number of involved axillary lymph nodes were found to be statistically significant prognostic factors in breast cancer patients in our study.
Keywords: Breast cancer; breast cancer/follow-up studies; chemotherapy, adjuvant; neoplasm recurrence, local/prevention & control; survival analysis
