Radiation therapy in the management of primary breast cancer

Since 1960, six cancer centers in France have used radiotherapy alone (with or without tumorectomy) in the treatment of "operable" breast carcinomas. The technique at Hopital Henri Mondor (Creteil) includes a basic irradiation of 5,000 rad to the breast, 4,500 rad to the chest wall, and 4,500 rad to the axillary, supraclavicular, and internal mammary nodal areas. Boost doses of 1,500-2,500 rad to the axillary and internal mammary nodes are given with electrons. A boost dose of 4,000 rad is given to the primary tumor site in the breast by endocureitherapy. Results appear equivalent to those obtained with surgical techniques. Esthetic results are, on the whole, satisfactory. Definitive results will be reported several years hence.