Patient compliance with aggressive multimodal therapy in locally advanced breast cancer

This study of compliance was performed to determine whether a medically indigent population with breast carcinoma that has been neglected is an appropriate group for inclusion in an aggressive combined treatment program. After incisional biopsy, 28 locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) patients received two cycles of cytoxan, Adriamycin, 5-Fluorouracil, and tamoxifen (CAFT) followed by a simple mastectomy and level I axillary dissection. After surgery, patients received four additional cycles of CAFT alternating with three cycles of 15 Gy to the chest wall and regional lymphatics. Compliance was defined as overall compliance, the percentage of patients completing the protocol as described; and appointment compliance, the ratio between treatments or appointments attended versus those scheduled. Overall compliance was 75% (21 of 28 patients). The total number of appointments scheduled was 1054 (mean, 37 +/- 2), and the total attended was 965 (mean, 34 +/- 3), giving an appointment compliance rate of 91.7%. Compliance did not vary significantly with age, marital status, nationality, the presence of complications, or delay to diagnosis. Compliance did decrease significantly with time. There was 100% overall compliance at 2 months, 82% at 6 months, and 75% at 1 year. We conclude that although our patients had neglected their disease and were medically indigent, they were highly motivated patients once in therapy. This suggests that complex treatment regimens are feasible as well as effective for the treatment of LABC.