[Adjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer. Report and commentary on the NIH Consensus Development Conference, Bethesda, Maryland, U.S. 9-11 September, 1985].

Treatment recommendations can be made for patients, who are not willing to participate in clinical trials, and regardless of steroid hormone receptor status combination chemotherapy has proven significant effectiveness in premenopausal patients with axillary node metastases, however in patients without nodal involvement this treatment is generally not recommended.

Abstract

Adjuvant chemo- and endocrine treatment in breast cancer are effective treatment modalities. However, the cure rate in this disease is still not satisfying. Using prospective clinical trials further treatment procedures should be evaluated. Based on data presented at the 1985 Consensus Development Conference, treatment recommendations can be made for patients, who are not willing to participate in clinical trials: Regardless of steroid hormone receptor status combination chemotherapy has proven significant effectiveness in premenopausal patients with axillary node metastases, however in patients without nodal involvement this treatment is generally not recommended. For patients with receptor-negative and/or undifferentiated carcinomas chemotherapy should be considered. Postmenopausal patients with axillary node metastases and receptor-positive tumours should be treated with tamoxifen. In those with positive nodes and negative receptors chemotherapy may be considered. There is no indication for routine adjuvant chemotherapy in postmenopausal patients with negative nodes regardless of hormone receptor levels.