Radiation Therapy Program, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver Island Cancer Centre, University of British Columbia, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. ptruong@bccancer.bc.ca
Source
Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2002 Nov 1;54(3):794-803
The use of axillary dissection (AD) in women with invasive breast cancer is increasingly questioned. This study analyzes the survival in women with T1-2 breast cancer according to age and AD use.
Data from the Breast Cancer Outcomes Unit Database were analyzed for 8038 women aged 50-89 years referred to the British Columbia Cancer Agency between 1989 and 1998 with invasive T1-2,M0 breast cancer. Tumor and treatment characteristics were compared between women treated with and without AD (AD+ vs. AD-) according to three age groups: 50-64, 65-74 and 75+ years. Regional relapse and actuarial 5-year overall and breast cancer-specific survival were compared between AD+ and AD- women. Multivariate analysis of age, tumor and treatment factors, and adjusted hazard ratios with AD omission were performed.
AD was omitted more frequently with advancing age (4% vs. 8% vs. 22% in women aged 50-64, 65-74, and 75+ years, respectively, p
Notes
Comment In: Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2002 Nov 1;54(3):637-912377311