Purpose: Postmastectomy irradiation improves overall survival for breast cancer patients at high risk for locoregional recurrence (LRR). The objective of this study was to use recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) to define patient subgroups at high risk for LRR following mastectomy.
Patients and methods: A cohort of 1031 patients treated on prospective trials with mastectomy and doxorubicin-based chemotherapy without irradiation was analyzed. The variables considered in the RPA were tumor size, number of involved nodes, number of nodes examined, and percentage of nodes involved (nodes involved/nodes examined). The endpoint was LRR +/- distant metastasis. Only patients with complete data were analyzed (n = 913). Median follow-up was 8 years (range, 0.7-22 years).
Results: Involvement of 20% or more of the lymph nodes examined was the most significant variable predicting LRR. Three risk categories were defined. Patients with 20% or more involved nodes and tumors of 3.5 cm or more were at greatest risk for LRR (41% at 8 years). An intermediate-risk group included patients with 20% or more involved nodes and tumors of less than 3.5 cm as well as those with less than 20% involved nodes and tumor size of 5 cm or greater (18% at 8 years). Patients with less than 20% involved nodes and tumor size of less than 5 cm were at lowest risk for LRR (10% at 8 years).
Conclusion: Tumor size and extent of nodal involvement play interrelated roles in predicting LRR following mastectomy and systemic therapy. Patients with 20% or greater involved nodes and those with less than 20% nodes and tumors of 5.0 cm or greater are at significant risk of LRR and should be considered for postoperative irradiation.