Prophylactic supraclavicular fossa radiotherapy in early breast cancer: is it worthwhile?
- Resource Type
- Academic Journal
- Authors
- Fairlamb DJ; Radiotherapy Department, Royal Hospital, Wolverhampton, UK.; Machin D
- Source
- Publisher: W.B. Saunders Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 9002902 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 0936-6555 (Print) Linking ISSN: 09366555 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) Subsets: MEDLINE
- Subject
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 0936-6555
A total of 291 consecutive patients with early breast cancer who did not receive any supraclavicular prophylactic irradiation of the ipsilateral fossa have been followed for a minimum of 5 years. Isolated relapse in that site occurred in 4.5% of patients and was controlled by radical radiotherapy with a post-relapse 5-year survival of 33%. Relapse with co-existing distant metastases occurred in a further 7% and no patient survived to 3 years. Supraclavicular fossa irradiation contributes to morbidity, does not improve survival and should be abandoned in favour of delayed treatment for proven recurrence.