Early-stage breast cancer: local control after conservative surgery and radiation therapy with immediate interstitial boost.

Abstract

Two hundred forty-five women (250 breasts) with early-stage breast cancer were treated between June 1982 and June 1990 with lumpectomy, immediate (boost) interstitial iridium-192 to 15-20 Gy, and external-beam irradiation to the entire breast to 45-50 Gy. There were 123 stage I cancers (T1N0M0), 123 stage II cancers (36 T1N1, 50 T2N0, 33 T2N1, four T3N0), and four stage III cancers (two T2N2, two T3N1). At a median follow-up of 69 months (range, 26-122 months), there were 14 recurrences in the treated breasts. Four were at the site of primary disease, eight were in other quadrants, and two were in both. With immediate interstitial boost, the 11-year actuarial recurrence rate in the breast is 7.7% and the recurrence rate at the site of primary disease is 3.2%.