Implications from long-term follow-up after breast-conserving therapy for patient selection and duration of follow-up: The Edinburgh experience

Abstract

555 Background: There are a few large population-based series assessing the long-term outcomes of breast-conserving therapy (BCT). Methods: A consecutive series (1981–98) of 1,812 women managed by wide local excision and postoperative radiotherapy (45Gy in 20–25 fractions). Results: Mean age was 54.9 years, range 24–91. Median clinical tumor size was 20mm. Histology was no special type in 1,477 patients (78.8%), tubular in 95 patients and lobular in 121. Tumor grade was available in 1,734 patients (450 grade 1, 767 grade 2, and 517 grade 3). Of 1,725 patients with margin status recorded, there was involvement by IBC in 250 and DCIS in 50. Axillary surgery was node sample in 1,385 patients (76.4%), level III clearance in 391 patients, and level II dissection in 36. Axillary lymph nodes were histologically node negative in 1,318 patients (72.7%). Adjuvant systemic therapy was tamoxifen alone in 1,179 patients (65.1%) and other hormone therapy in 250 patients. 306 patients received chemotherapy with half the...