Breast-conserving treatment of early breast cancer: survival and recurrence in community hospitals in southeastern Netherlands.

A total of 514 patients with malignant breast tumours (3 cm or less in diameter) and without evidence of distant metastases underwent tumour excision, axillary dissection and radiotherapy in nine community hospitals in southeastern Netherlands and a regional institute for radiotherapy (1981-1987). Follow-up ranged from 16 to 109 months, mean 50 months. The five-year overall survival was 87 per cent and the breast cancer specific survival 90 per cent. The five-year disease-free survival was 78 per cent. The local recurrence rate was 4.4 per cent at five years and the regional recurrence rate 4.5 per cent. Survival and local recurrence rate were in accordance with the early results reported by leading centres. The regional recurrence rate seemed to be somewhat higher. This study indicates that patients with early breast cancer can be treated effectively and safely with breast-conserving therapy in community hospitals.