Adjuvant Chemotherapy of Breast Cancer

Abstract

Adjuvant chemotherapy of breast cancer involves the use of cytotoxic drugs after local and regional therapy has been given. It received extensive notice throughout the last half of the 1970s and is now established as a therapeutic concept. Its purpose is to eradicate micrometastases and to permit long-term, disease-free survival (cure) in patients who would otherwise relapse with surgery alone.Adequate analysis of adjuvant trials will take many years of follow-up.¹ Early analysis will compare relapse-free survival or time to recurrence against acute toxicity and economic and psychosocial costs. Late analysis will involve comparison of overall survival and pattern of . . .