[Efficacy of chemo-endocrine therapy for recurrent breast cancer]

Recurrent breast cancer can now be treated more effectively with endocrine therapy, combined with chemotherapy. Between April 1977 and March 1982, 127 breast cancer operations were performed at Kumamoto Municipal Hospital; recurrence was found in 13 cases (approx. 10%). Treatment of 7 of these cases with endocrine therapy (mainly Nolvadex, anti-estrogen) combined with chemotherapy resulted in 6 cases showing either complete response (CR) or partial response (PR). The efficacy of chemo-endocrine therapy was obvious when compared with cases without therapy. Further studies on hormone receptors and the establishment of guidelines for chemo-endocrine therapy as post-operative adjuvant therapy are justified.