Retrospective study of conservation surgery for breast cancer with or without axillary dissection

It is already known that for breast cancer patients, an axillary dissection or locoregional radiation has no major effect on survival with a simple mastectomy. We analyzed whether axillary dissection improved the prognosis for breast conservation surgery.

From 1982 to 1995, 31 patients underwent axillary dissection and 33 did not in association with breast conservation surgery performed at our institution. Median follow up was at 55 months, ranging from 3 to 210. Survival rates of patients were analyzed retrospectively.

In the dissection group, 8 patients had recurrence and 5 died within 3 years, yielding a relapse-free survival rate of 71%. In the non-dissection group, 7 patients had recurrence, 3 died within 3 years, with a relapse-free survival rate of 79%. Figures for overall survival, relapse-free except breast and relapse-free for breast at 5 years were 93%, 73%, and 96% for the dissection group, and 93%, 89%, and 89% for the non-dissection group, respectively. No difference was found in survival rates between the two groups. Adjusted by Cox's regression analysis, survival rates of overall, relapse-free, relapse-free except breast and relapse-free for breast, at 5 years were 86%, 71%, 77%, and 90% for the dissection group, and 100%, 78%, 85%, and 95% for the non-dissection group, respectively. No survival benefit was found in axillary dissection. The first site of recurrence was in the affected breast in 3 patients and in other sites in 5 patients for the dissection group, while for the non-dissection group it was in the affected axilla in 1 patient, the skin of the affected breast in 1 patient, the affected breast in 3 patients, and other sites in 2 patients. In the non-dissection group, a patient who had recurrence on the skin of the affected breast, subsequently had an axillary recurrence on the same side with plexus paresis.

In breast conservation, prophylactic axillary dissection seems to be omitted, but the axilla of the affected side should be examined for metastasis while treatment is possible.