Radiation as primary treatment for local control of breast carcinoma. A progress report
E. Weber and S. Hellman
One hundred patients with localized breast carcinoma have been treated by
radiation alone from July 1, 1968, until June 30, 1973, at the Joint Center
for Radiation Therapy. Patients were referred for many reasons, including
changing opinions as to the indications for mastectomy. External beam
therapy to the tumor bearing volume and its regional nodal chains has been
frequently supplemented by iridium 192 interstitial implantation. Local
control has been excellent, particularly in early stage disease. Regionally
advanced mammary carcinoma, despite apparently adequate local therapy,
demonstrates a rapidly falling survival curve, suggesting the need for
early systemic chemotherapy.
