Purpose: To evaluate the results of postoperative electron beam irradiation for stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ breast cancer. Materials and methods: From August 1987 to June 1992, we retrospectively analyzed the results of electron beam irradiation for 87 women with primary breast cancer treated by modified radical mastectomy. Adjuvant chemotherapy and hormone therapy were also given to 55 and 40 patients, respectively. Results: The 5-year disease-free survival rates for stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ patients were 80% and 31%, respectively. The 5-year local control rates for stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ patients were 98% and 72%, respectively. Thirty-seven patients had distant rnetastases. Bone was the most common site. Thirteen percent of grade 1 and 18% of grade 2 late skin complication were noted. Late grade 1 complication of lung was noted in 6% of patients. In patients of high risk group (tumor size of larger than 5 cm and more than 3 positive axillary nodes metastases), the 5-year disease-free survival and local control rates were 10% and 37%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, more than 3 positive axillary nodes metastases was a strong prognostic factor for disease. free survival rates (p<0.0001) and local control rates (p=0.0096). Tumor size of larger than 5 cm was also recognized as independent prognostic factors for local control rates (p=0.0213). Conclusion: Electron beam irradiation for postmastectomy of breast cancer has been proven with good local control in this study. It is compatible with the study in many reports. This technique has the advantages of easy setup, homogeneous dose distribution, and less pulmonary complication. The outcomes of high risk group patients are poor, more aggressive management may be needed for these patients.
Purpose: To evaluate the results of postoperative electron beam irradiation for stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ breast cancer. Materials and methods: From August 1987 to June 1992, we retrospectively analyzed the results of electron beam irradiation for 87 women with primary breast cancer treated by modified radical mastectomy. Adjuvant chemotherapy and hormone therapy were also given to 55 and 40 patients, respectively. Results: The 5-year disease-free survival rates for stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ patients were 80% and 31%, respectively. The 5-year local control rates for stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ patients were 98% and 72%, respectively. Thirty-seven patients had distant rnetastases. Bone was the most common site. Thirteen percent of grade 1 and 18% of grade 2 late skin complication were noted. Late grade 1 complication of lung was noted in 6% of patients. In patients of high risk group (tumor size of larger than 5 cm and more than 3 positive axillary nodes metastases), the 5-year disease-free survival and local control rates were 10% and 37%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, more than 3 positive axillary nodes metastases was a strong prognostic factor for disease. free survival rates (p<0.0001) and local control rates (p=0.0096). Tumor size of larger than 5 cm was also recognized as independent prognostic factors for local control rates (p=0.0213). Conclusion: Electron beam irradiation for postmastectomy of breast cancer has been proven with good local control in this study. It is compatible with the study in many reports. This technique has the advantages of easy setup, homogeneous dose distribution, and less pulmonary complication. The outcomes of high risk group patients are poor, more aggressive management may be needed for these patients.