Improved survival after one course of perioperative chemotherapy in early breast cancer patients. long-term results from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Trial 10854.

The aim of this study was to examine whether one course of perioperative polychemotherapy yields better results in terms of survival, progression-free survival (PFS) and locoregional control than surgery alone in early stage breast cancer. From 1986 to 1991, 2795 patients with stage I/II breast cancer were randomised to receive either one perioperative course of an anthracycline-containing chemotherapeutic regimen within 36 h after surgery or surgery alone. Patients were followed-up for overall survival, PFS and locoregional recurrence. The median follow-up period at time of the analysis was 11 years. PFS and locoregional control were significantly better (P=0.025 and P=0.004, respectively) in the perioperative chemotherapy arm. Node-negative patients seemed to benefit most from the perioperative FAC. Patients who received perioperative chemotherapy and locoregional therapy alone had significantly better overall survival rates than patients who received locoregional therapy alone (P=0.004). Patients who received additional systemic therapy did not seem to benefit from one course of perioperative chemotherapy (P=0.65). One course of perioperative polychemotherapy does improve PFS and locoregional control in early stage breast cancers. This effect is still present after 11 years of follow-up.