Concurrent CMF and radiation therapy for early stage breast cancer: Results of a pilot study

Purpose: The optimal sequencing of chemotherapy (CT) and radiotherapy (RT) for patients with early-stage breast cancer treated with breast-conserving therapy is unresolved, Given the concerns arising from delaying either CT or RT, we conducted a pilot study of a concurrent CT-RT regimen in the hope that this would reduce side effects without decreasing efficacy. Methods and Materials: From 1992-1994, 112 patients with 0-3 positive nodes received 6 monthly cycles of classic oral chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fi-fluorouracil (5-FU) (CMP). On day 15 of cycle 1, patients started tangential field RT (39.6 Gy in 22 fractions), followed by a 16 Gy boost in 8 fractions, Median follow-up time for surviving patients was 53 months. Results: Moist desquamation developed during or shortly after RT in 50% of patients, but only 5 patients required treatment breaks. Grade 4 neutropenia during RT occurred in 16 patients, but only 1 required hospitalization, One patient developed Grade 2 radiation pneumonitis. Ninety-three percent of patients received at least 85% of prescribed drug doses. Cosmetic scores of 51 evaluable patients approximately 2 years after the end of chemotherapy were 47% excellent, 43% good, and 10% fair. We have observed 4 local failures and 20 distant failures. Conclusions: This concurrent CT-RT scheme had acceptable toxicity and outcome, Further comparison of this approach allowing prompt initiation of both CT and RT to alternative sequences is warranted. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc.