[Adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer--a current controversy].

Abstract

EBCTCG meta-analysis revealed a significant reduction in mortality in patients receiving chemotherapy irrespective of nodal status and ER status. Compared with CMF, 5-year RFS and OS favored the anthracycline-containing regimens, 57% vs 54% (p = 0.006) and 72% vs 69% (p = 0.02), respectively. No survival benefit was obtained for CMF durations greater than 6 months. Delaying radiation therapy for several months after breast-conserving surgery until the completion of adjuvant chemotherapy appears safe and may be preferable for patients at high risk of distant metastasis. No difference in disease-free survival for the 3 dose levels of doxorubicin (60, 75, and 90 mg/m2) was found. Higher doses (100 mg/m2) of epirubicin led to a high survival rate in women with poor-prognosis disease. Dose-dense therapy seems promising but still needs further investigation. Incorporation of taxanes into adjuvant chemotherapy for early breast cancer is also controversial.

• Authors: Hiromitsu Jinno, Tadashi Ikeda, Kouichi Kubouchi, Kiyoshi Fujiwara, Masaki Kitajima
• Journal: Gan to kagaku ryoho. Cancer & chemotherapy (Gan To Kagaku Ryoho) Vol. 31 Issue 2 Pg. 176-80 (Feb 2004) ISSN: 0385-0684 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 14997747 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Anthracyclines
• Bridged-Ring Compounds
• Receptors, Estrogen
• Taxoids
• Tamoxifen
• taxane
• Cisplatin
• Fluorouracil
• Methotrexate

Topics

• Anthracyclines (administration & dosage)
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Breast Neoplasms (drug therapy, mortality, surgery)
• Bridged-Ring Compounds (administration & dosage)
• Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
• Cisplatin (administration & dosage)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Female
• Fluorouracil (administration & dosage)
• Humans
• Mastectomy, Segmental
• Meta-Analysis as Topic
• Methotrexate (administration & dosage)
• Receptors, Estrogen
• Survival Rate
• Tamoxifen (administration & dosage)
• Taxoids (administration & dosage)