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Adjuvant tamoxifen for pre- and postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor positive, node positive breast cancer: A randomized study

Breast Cancer Research and Treatment volume 36, pages 49–53 (1995)Cite this article

Summary

370 patients with operable, axillary node positive breast cancer, were randomized to receive tamoxifen (TAM) 20 mg/day for 2 years or no adjuvant hormone therapy. All patients had estrogen receptor (ER) positive (ER > 10 pmol/g) primary tumours. 350 patients, 93 younger than 50 years of age and 257 patients 50 years or older, were evaluable for the study. After a median follow up of 76 months, significantly (p = 0.0001) fewer loco-regional, but not distant (systemic), relapses have been recorded in the TAM group. Overall survival was also improved, but even though the study was designed to give maximum benefit from TAM statistically significant effect of TAM seemed to be limited to patients 50 years of age and older.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Oncology and Radiotherapy, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Montebello, 0310, Oslo, Norway

    S. Gundersen

  2. Clinical Research Office, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Montebello, 0310, Oslo, Norway

    E. Hannisdal

  3. Department of Surgery, Rogaland Central Hospital, N-4003, Stavanger, Norway

    J. A. Søreide

  4. Department of Surgery, Deaconess Hospital, N-5009, Bergen, Norway

    A. Skarstein

  5. Department of Surgery, Haukeland University Hospital, N-5021, Bergen, Norway

    J. E. Varhaug

Authors
  1. S. Gundersen
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  2. E. Hannisdal
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  3. J. A. Søreide
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  4. A. Skarstein
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  5. J. E. Varhaug
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Gundersen, S., Hannisdal, E., Søreide, J.A. et al. Adjuvant tamoxifen for pre- and postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor positive, node positive breast cancer: A randomized study. Breast Cancer Res Tr 36, 49–53 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00690184

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00690184

Key words

  • adjuvant tamoxifen
  • breast cancer
  • estrogen receptor positive
  • node positive