[Treatment results following breast-conserving therapy in primary breast cancer]

To evaluate mono-institutional results concerning tumor free survival, overall survival, local tumor control and rate of distant metastasis following breast-conserving therapy.

Retrospectively, 274 breast cancer patients who were treated between 1990-1997 in our institution were analysed. The whole breast was homogeneously irradiated (2.0 Gy to 50 Gy), followed by a boost of 10-16 Gy to the tumor bed. Mean follow-up was 55 months. Overall survival, local tumor control and rate of distant metastasis were analysed.

Cause-specific survival at 5 years after treatment was 93 %. Within 3 to 60 months following treatment, 18 (7 %) patients suffered from ipsilateral breast recurrence. 24 (9 %) patients developed contralateral carcinoma. Survival from local recurrence (single manifestation) was 78 % at 5 years after treatment, 20 % at 7 years. Occurrence of local failures was significantly correlated to receptor status, contralateral carcinoma, distant metastasis and surgical technique and not to tumor size, margins, grading, nodal status, age or lymphangiosis. 9 % of the patients developed distant metastases, predominantly bone metastases (71 %). Survival from distant metastasis was 64 % at 5 years, 10 % at 7 years. Occurrence of distant metastasis was significantly correlated to grading, tumor size, receptor status, lymphangiosis or local recurrence.

Our institutional results show that tumor free survival, overall survival, local tumor control and distant failure rate achieved by breast conserving therapy are within the range of literature data.