Therapeutic regimens in advanced breast cancer

A. F. Hoge, M. T. Shaw, R. H. Bottomley and J. M. Hartsuck

A retrospective study of the methods of treatment in 98 patients with advanced breast cancer over the past five years showed striking differences in remission rates, duration of remissions, and overall survival according to the method of treatment. Adrenalectomy and oophorectomy produced remissions in 58% of patients, with a median duration of 22 months. Survival curves were impressive and favored the surgically ablated group, who had a median survival of 32 months. Sixty-seven percent of responders continue to survive at four years. Chemotherapy with single agents produced remissions in 30% of patients, having a median duration of nine months. Additive endocrine therapy produced 33% to 36% remission rates, with median durations of 12 to 16 months. Responses were more frequent and longer lasting in older patients. Radiotherapy, when used without supplemental therapy, resulted in good local control, but a short median survival of 7.5 months.