G. Vorgias et al., STAGE-1 CARCINOMA OF THE BREAST IN SOUTH-WEST GREECE - EVALUATION OF THE OUTCOME AND THE CONCERNS OF THE DECADE 1981-1991, Medical science research, 26(2), 1998, pp. 129-131
Our purpose was to analyse retrospectively the significantly lower per
centage of Stage 1 breast cancer patients diagnosed in South West Gree
ce during the decade 1981-91, and their therapeutic outcome. 32 Stage
1 patients, consisting of only 8.3% of the total breast cancer cases r
eferred to our breast unit, were analysed. A questionnaire regarding b
reast cancer screening was used to assess the divergence in Stage 1 di
agnosis, while life table methods were used to evaluate overall surviv
al and disease free interval. The mixed nature of the population of So
uth West Greece and the distance of a great number of people from big
hospital facilities with organised breast units were the main causes o
f the delayed diagnosis of the breast cancers and therefore the low ov
erall percentage of Stage 1 patients. Regarding the treatment outcome,
with a follow-up time ranging from 60 to 180 months, no cancer-relate
d deaths, nor local or distant metastases were recorded for any of the
se patients. Improvement in the screening programmes conducted by the
smaller county hospitals is the answer to increase early stage diagnos
is. Modified radical and mastectomy and breast conserving surgery are
of equal value for Stage 1 patients, but adjuvant chemoendocrine treat
ment clearly produces long-term disease free intervals and increases o
verall survival. (C) 1998 Chapman & Hall Ltd.