Prophylactic oophorectomy in operable instances of carcinoma of the breast

In 1964, a prospective study was initiated of prophylactic oophorectomy in operable instances of carcinoma of the breast, in patients who showed evidence of ovarian activity. Patients were randomized to a control group and a group treated by surgical castration. By December 1979, 359 patients were evaluable at five years and 240 patients at ten years. The over-all results of the oophorectomy series were superior to that for those of the control group. Patients who had cancer confined to the breast showed no significant benefit from oophorectomy. When one to three axillary nodes were involved, women less than 50 years of age were found to benefit significantly from prophylactic oophorectomy, in relapse-free status at five years, and in survival and relapse-free status at ten years. Patients 50 years of age and older showed no advantage from oophorectomy. It s suggested that there is a place for prophylactic oophorectomy in patients who are less than 50 years of age with operable carcinoma of the breast and with positive axillary nodes.