Systemic adjuvant therapy for node-negative breast cancer.

In response to recent advice from the US National Cancer Institute concerning the use of systemic adjuvant therapy for node-negative breast cancer we reviewed the literature and found that several studies have shown evidence of a disease-free, but not an overall, survival advantage for treated patients. The benefits have been modest and may not outweight the cost and toxic effects of such therapy. Routine use does not seem to be justified. Factors must be identified to differentiate between patients at low risk and those at high risk. It should then be determined if adjuvant therapy is truly beneficial in those who are at high risk.