BACKGROUND The current study was conducted to assess the toxicity of concurrent adjuvant cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5‐fluorouracil (CMF) chemotherapy and radiotherapy (RT) for early breast carcinoma. METHODS In the current study, the authors reviewed the records of 680 consecutive breast carcinoma patients who received adjuvant CMF at the Princess Margaret Hospital between 1980–1990. Surgery was comprised of mastectomy in 64% of patients, breast conservation in 35% of patients, and was unknown in 1% of patients. Two hundred two patients received concurrent CMF/RT that was defined as an overlap in CMF and RT administration of at least 21 days. Forty‐seven patients received sequential CMF/RT (defined as no overlap or an overlap of < 7 days in CMF and RT administration). Other patients received CMF alone. Adverse effects of RT were graded retrospectively using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG)/European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) system. Reasons for interruption or failure to complete RT were recorded. The magnitude of chemotherapy dose reductions and delays also were noted. RESULTS The median age of the patients was 44 years (range, 26–68 years) and 88% of the patients had lymph node‐positive disease. RT was interrupted or discontinued due to side effects in 4% of patients (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.7–7.7%) and 0% (95% CI, 0–7.6%), respectively, of the concurrent and sequential groups (P = 0.36). The incidence of Grade 3 or Grade 4 RT toxicity was 1.5% (95% CI, 0.3–4.3%) and 2.1% (95% CI, 0.1–11.3%), respectively, for the concurrent and sequential groups (P = 0.57). The median relative dose intensity of chemotherapy for patients receiving concurrent CMF/RT, sequential CMF/RT, and CMF alone was 0.87, 0.84, and 0.85, respectively (P = 0.22). CONCLUSIONS The results of the current study demonstrate that the concurrent administration of CMF and RT is associated with a low risk of serious toxicity and is an acceptable adjuvant regimen for patients with breast carcinoma. Cancer 2002;95:696–703. © 2002 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.10744
Corresponding author: B D Henderson (gnmgbdh@ufs.ac.za)Background. Osteogenesis imperfecta is a heritable disorder of bone connective tissue. Type III has a high incidence in the black population of South Africa. Affected people experience numerous fractures, bone pain and progressive disability. Until the introduction of bisphosphonates to reduce fracture incidence, treatment revolved around orthopaedic and supportive care. Objective. To assess the subjective attitude of patients towards pamidronate treatment. Methods. Thirty black patients with osteogenesis imperfecta type III treated at Universitas Hospital were approached and 26 were included in this study. Patients or their parents were interviewed using a standardised researcher-administered questionnaire, either in person or by telephone. Results. Most patients reported a reduction in symptoms, a feeling of increased wellbeing, increased strength and rated the pamidronate treatment highly. The intravenous route of administration and the side-effects experienced were bearable. Overall all patients would recommend this treatment to other affected persons. Conclusion. This is first study to look at bisphosphonate treatment for osteogenesis imperfecta type III in black South Africans. The treatment is well tolerated and highly rated by the patients. Reported improvements and side-effects are similar to those reported in other populations. Using this form of treatment in this population is supported by these findings.
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