FEC 60 adjuvant chemotherapy (AdCT) in breast cancer (BC) patients (Pts): 10-year follow-up results

Abstract

10725 Background: To evaluate the efficacy of the Epirubicin as a part of the FEC60 AdCT in operable BrC patients in a Brazilian single-center. Methods: We verified retrospectively our experience with FEC 60 as AdCT in pre and postmenopausal, node positive and negative, pathologic stage I, II and III patients with BrC. Pts were submitted after surgery to receive Fluorouracil 600 mg/m2, Epirubicin 60 mg/m2 and Cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 every 28 days for 6 cycles. Pts who were ER+ and/or PR+ received Tamoxifen (TMX) 20 mg/day for 5 years after AdCT. Radiotherapy was also offered at the end of AdCT if indicated. All patients were evaluated in terms of 10 year (y) Disease Free Survival (DFS) and Overall Survival (OS). The most common toxicities (acute and chronic) and metastatic sites will also be reported. Results: Between July 1983 and December 1995 a total of 752 patients (ranging from 22 to 77 years old - median 47.7) were encountered and all of them were evaluated to 10 year (y) DFS and OS. Approximately 61% of these patients received adjuvant TMX. Pts in premenopausal and postmenopausal represented 62.5% and 37.5% respectively. 72 (11%) pts had pathological stage I; 353 (46%) pts had stage II and 327 (43%) had stage III. The 10y DFS was 70%, 46% and 19% for stage I, II and III respectively. The 10y OS after a minimal follow-up of 122.98 months was 74%, 48% and 20% for stage I, II and III respectively. Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that FEC 60 regimen is active and well tolerated in the adjuvant treatment for BrC pts. We had about 89% of stage II and III pts and in this population FEC60 regimen add benefit. Nevertheless, the randomized studies indicate that the greatest anticancer effect of Epirubicin requires doses ranging from 75 to 120 mg/m2, but due to economic reasons (we integrate the brazilian public healthy system) we could not offer dosages greater than 60 mg/m2. FEC 60 was feasible and offered reasonable results in our population in terms of 10y DFS and OS. No significant financial relationships to disclose.