Published in:
Open Access
01-12-2012 | Research article
Adjuvant chemotherapy of pT1a and pT1b breast carcinoma: results from the NEMESI study
Authors:
Stefania Gori, Matteo Clavarezza, Salvatore Siena, Jennifer Foglietta, Emiliana Tarenzi, Monica Giordano, Annamaria Molino, Claudio Graiff, Vittorio Fusco, Oscar Alabiso, Editta Baldini, Teresa Gamucci, Giuseppe Altavilla, Davide Dondi, Marco Venturini
Published in:
BMC Cancer
|
Issue 1/2012
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Abstract
Background
The prognosis of pT1a-pT1b breast cancer (BC) used to be considered very good, with a 10-y RFS of 90%. However, some retrospective studies reported a 10-y RFS of 81%–86% and suggested benefit from adjuvant systemic therapy.
Methods
To evaluate the variables that determined the choice of adjuvant chemotherapy and the type of chemotherapy delivered in pT1a-pT1b BC, we analysed the small tumours enrolled in the NEMESI study.
Results
Out of 1,894 patients with pathological stage I-II BC enrolled in NEMESI, 402 (21.2%) were pT1a-pT1b. Adjuvant chemotherapy was delivered in 127/402 (31.59%). Younger age, grading G3, high proliferative index, ER-negative and HER2-positive status were significantly associated with the decision to administer adjuvant chemotherapy. An anthracycline without taxane regimen was administered in 59.1% of patients, anthracycline with taxane in 24.4%, a CMF-like regimen in 14.2% and taxane in 2.4%. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered in 88.4% triple-negative and 73.46% HER2-positive pT1a-pT1b BC. Adjuvant trastuzumab was delivered in 30/49 HER2-positive BC (61.2%).
Conclusions
Adjuvant chemotherapy was delivered in 31.59% T1a-pT1b BC treated at 63 Italian oncological centres from January 2008 to June 2008. The choice to deliver chemotherapy was based on biological prognostic factors. Anthracycline-based chemotherapy was administered in 83.5% patients.