THE RESULTS OF TREATMENT IN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS WITH CHEST WALL RECURRENCES

Between 1978 and 1990 103 breast cancer patients with isolated chest wall recurrences developing after initial curative treatments (mastectomy with or without postoperative irradiation or any adjuvant treatment) were treated in Cerrahpaşa Medical School, Department of Radiation Oncology. Following their treatment 5 year survival rate and the importance of local tumour control and the duration between the initial curative treatments and the time of local recurrence were analysed in 103 patients. Chest wall recurrences developed median in 17 months. Local tumour control has been achieved and not, are 36%, and. 3% respectively. (P=0.000001). Length of disease free interval between mastectomy and chest wall recurrence effects the survival. In patients who developed recurrences less than 24 months, 5 year survival rate is 15% and who developed more than this period is 30% (P=0.0456).