The curability of breast cancer.

The age-correlated survival rates for 982 women treated for localised breast cancer were analysed retrospectively. Analysis by size of the primary cancer showed that those with smaller cancers had a significantly higher survival rate and a significantly reduced probability of dying of cancer. Cured groups of patients were identified for all but those with the smallest tumours--2.0 cm in diameter or smaller. A long period of follow-up (to 25 years) is necessary to establish the presence of a large cured group in such cases.