EFFECT OF DELAYED RADIATION-THERAPY ON LOCAL-CONTROL IN BREAST-CONSERVATION THERAPY

PURPOSE: To assess local control when radiation therapy is delayed to complete chemotherapy in breast conservation therapy. MATERIALS AND ME THODS: Breast conservation therapy was performed in 310 cases in 297 p atients (aged 24-85 years) with stage 0-II breast cancer. Adjuvant che motherapy was used in 76 eases. The authors analyzed the time between diagnosis and radiation therapy and correlated these findings with loc al control of disease. RESULTS: The time between diagnosis and radiati on therapy in the 247 cases treated without chemotherapy-related delay was 2-59 weeks (mean, 8 weeks). The interval in the 63 cases with che motherapy-related delay was 12-63 weeks (mean, 31 weeks; P < .001). Te n of the 11 cases with an in-breast relapse were in the group treated without a delay (P = .57). CONCLUSION: Delaying radiation therapy for chemotherapy does not compromise local control.