SALVAGE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS RELAPSING AFTER BREAST-CANCER ADJUVANT CHEMOTHERAPY

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 64  (2-3) , 269-273
Abstract
The efficacy of salvage therapy with systemic agents in 33 women who initially received adjuvant chemotherapy with adriamycin and cyclophosphamide (AC) for early breast cancer were analyzed. Relapses occurred at a median of 9 mo. after completion of adjuvant therapy; 6 patients relapsed while receiving adjuvant treatment. Salvage treatment produced objective responses in 3 of 10 patients (30%) receiving hormonal therapy alone [tamoxifen, diethylstilbestrol, halotestin, oophorectomy, adrenalectomy], in 5 of 11 (45%) receiving AC plus hormonal therapy and in none of 12 receiving cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil (P < 0.05). Survival from the time of relapse from adjuvant chemotherapy was superior for patients receiving hormonal therapy with or without AC chemotherapy compared to that of patients receiving cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil (P < 0.05), and the median survival time of responders is > 12 mo. Patients relapsing after adjuvant chemotherapy probably should receive aggressive treatment employing adriamycin combination chemotherapy along with hormonal therapy.