BMC Cancer (Apr 2012)

Adjuvant chemotherapy of pT1a and pT1b breast carcinoma: results from the NEMESI study

  • Gori Stefania,
  • Clavarezza Matteo,
  • Siena Salvatore,
  • Foglietta Jennifer,
  • Tarenzi Emiliana,
  • Giordano Monica,
  • Molino Annamaria,
  • Graiff Claudio,
  • Fusco Vittorio,
  • Alabiso Oscar,
  • Baldini Editta,
  • Gamucci Teresa,
  • Altavilla Giuseppe,
  • Dondi Davide,
  • Venturini Marco

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2407-12-158
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1
p. 158

Abstract

Read online

Abstract Background The prognosis of pT1a-pT1b breast cancer (BC) used to be considered very good, with a 10-y RFS of 90%. However, some retrospective studies reported a 10-y RFS of 81%–86% and suggested benefit from adjuvant systemic therapy. Methods To evaluate the variables that determined the choice of adjuvant chemotherapy and the type of chemotherapy delivered in pT1a-pT1b BC, we analysed the small tumours enrolled in the NEMESI study. Results Out of 1,894 patients with pathological stage I-II BC enrolled in NEMESI, 402 (21.2%) were pT1a-pT1b. Adjuvant chemotherapy was delivered in 127/402 (31.59%). Younger age, grading G3, high proliferative index, ER-negative and HER2-positive status were significantly associated with the decision to administer adjuvant chemotherapy. An anthracycline without taxane regimen was administered in 59.1% of patients, anthracycline with taxane in 24.4%, a CMF-like regimen in 14.2% and taxane in 2.4%. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered in 88.4% triple-negative and 73.46% HER2-positive pT1a-pT1b BC. Adjuvant trastuzumab was delivered in 30/49 HER2-positive BC (61.2%). Conclusions Adjuvant chemotherapy was delivered in 31.59% T1a-pT1b BC treated at 63 Italian oncological centres from January 2008 to June 2008. The choice to deliver chemotherapy was based on biological prognostic factors. Anthracycline-based chemotherapy was administered in 83.5% patients.

Keywords