Impact of adjuvant chemotherapy on cosmesis and complications in Stages I and II carcinoma of the breast treated by biopsy and radiation therapy

Journal Article · Fri Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0360-3016(84)90385-7· OSTI ID:6599736

Ray, G R; Fish, V J; Marmor, J B; Rogoway, W; Kushlan, P; Arnold, C; Lee, R H; Marzoni, F

Cosmesis and complication rates were examined in patients with early stage carcinoma of the breast treated by biopsy and radiation therapy with and without adjuvant chemotherapy in an attempt to determine the effect of chemotherapy upon these parameters. Between April 1, l975 and June 1, 1980, 51 patients were treated with radiation therapy and adjuvant chemotherapy (XRT + ACT) and 83 patients with radiotherapy alone (XRT). Cosmetic results deteriorated with time in both groups but to a greater extent in the XRT + ACT group. Comparison of the two treatment groups revealed that complication rates were significantly incresed in the XRT + ACT group. Of the 51 patients in the XRT + ACT group, 21 patients (41%) suffered complications compared to 8 (10%) of the 83 patients in the XRT group. This difference in complication rates resulted primarily from an increased incidence in the XRT + ACT group of wet desquamation in the electron beam portal used to treat the internal mammary lymph nodes and a trend towards a higher incidence of spontaneous nonpathologic rib fractures, myositis and arm edema. The authors' preliminary conclusions are that adjuvant chemotherapy has a negative impact upon cosmesis and complications rates in patients being treated with definitive radiotherapy. However, cosmetic results remain satisfactory and complication rates are maintained at an acceptable level.

• Research Organization: Palo Alto Medical Foundation, CA
• OSTI ID: 6599736
• Journal Information: Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 10:6; ISSN IOBPD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BIOPSY
BODY
BONE FRACTURES
CARCINOMAS
CHEMOTHERAPY
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DISEASES
EDEMA
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
GLANDS
INJURIES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MAMMARY GLANDS
MEDICINE
NECROSIS
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PATIENTS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RADIOINDUCTION
RADIOLOGY
RADIOTHERAPY
SIDE EFFECTS
SKIN
SYMPTOMS
THERAPY
X RADIATION