[Preoperative radiotherapy in breast cancer. Description of a clinical trial record and first results].

The protocol of a clinical trial, studying the value of preoperative radiotherapy (RT) in operable breast cancer is described. Results are compared to those of 2 control groups: patients treated either with surgery only or with surgery + postoperative RT. So far, in each of the 3 groups 250 patients have been entered, their total number being expected to reach about 350 per group. Two year results (on 209 evaluable cases) did not reveal any difference in survival between the groups, but a markedly lowered incidence of locally recurrent disease (from 16% to 4%) in the irradiated patients. No increase in mortality or metastasis was noted after RT. Side effects of RT were considered mild and not of such a degree as to necessitate its discontinuation.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes