ISSN:
1573-7217
Keywords:
adjuvant therapy
;
breast cancer
;
estrogen receptors
;
tamoxifen
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The paper presents interim results of an on-going randomized trial of adjuvant tamoxifen (40 mg daily for 2 years) versus no endocrine adjuvant therapy in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer. A total of 1407 patients were included in the study between November 1976 through June 1984. Estrogen receptor (ER) data were available on 1184 patients (84%). The median follow-up was 53 months. Adjuvant tamoxifen increased the recurrence-free interval (P〈0.01) but had no significant effect on overall survival. Treatment failures were reduced by 25% (P〈0.01) and deaths by 7% (P〉0.05). Tamoxifen mainly decreased the frequency of loco-regional recurrence whereas distant metastases were less affected. The treatment effect was independent of tumor stage but was significantly related to the estrogen receptor (ER) content of the primary tumor. Tamoxifen appeared ineffective among ER negative patients, and the greatest effect was seen among those with high levels of ER. The results indicate that the main mechanism of action of adjuvant tamoxifen is similar to that suggested in advanced disease, i.e. an interaction with the estrogen receptor.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01805762
Permalink
