Stopping metastases at their source

Article Abstract:

Women with breast cancer who undergo mastectomy or lumpectomy but still have cancer in their lymph nodes should receive chemotherapy plus radiation therapy. In two long-term studies reported in 1997, chemotherapy plus radiation therapy significantly reduced the risk of relapse and increased survival. One study was begun in 1978 and the other in 1982. Since then, the increased use of mammography has also reduced mortality rates because tumors are detected at an earlier stage. Even women with small tumors whose cancer has not spread to their lymph nodes may benefit from chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

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Postoperative radiotherapy in high-risk premenopausal women with breast cancer who receive adjuvant chemotherapy

Article Abstract:

Radiotherapy in combination with chemotherapy may prolong life and reduce the risk of relapse in women with breast cancer who have had a mastectomy. Researchers randomly assigned 1,708 such women to receive only chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and fluorouracil or chemotherapy plus radiotherapy. The frequency of relapse or metastasis was 9% in the women who received chemotherapy and radiotherapy compared to 32% in those who received chemotherapy. Ten-year survival rates were 54% in those given chemotherapy and radiotherapy compared to 45% in those given chemotherapy.

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Adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy in node-positive premenopausal women with breast cancer

Article Abstract:

Radiotherapy in combination with chemotherapy may reduce mortality rates and the rate of recurrent breast cancer in women who have had a mastectomy. Researchers randomly assigned 318 women with breast cancer who had a mastectomy to receive only chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and fluorouracil or chemotherapy plus radiotherapy. After 15 years of follow-up, the overall relapse rate was reduced by 33% in the women who received chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In addition, their mortality rate was 29% lower than the rate in the women who only received chemotherapy.

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