SIMPLE MASTECTOMY AND RADIATION THERAPY FOR LOCALLY ADVANCED BREAST CANCERS TECHNICALLY SUITABLE FOR RADICAL MASTECTOMY

Abstract

Simple mastectomy followed by the delivery of 5,000 rads in 5 weeks to the chest wall, axilla, supraclavicular area, and first 3 internal mammary chain lymph nodes, with appropriate boost therapy, achieves close to 100 per cent control of disease locally and regionally. Because of the possible sequelae, this dose should be reserved for advanced lesions. For more favorable lesions, the dose should be reduced to 4,500 rads to the chest wall and internal mammary chain and 4,000 rads to the axilla if a significant axillary dissection has been done.