Atkins et al. (1972)
Last reviewed 01/2018
This study addressed radical mastectomy against 'extended tylectomy' - a form of conservative breast treatment. Both groups had radiotherapy to regional nodes. The conservative group had radiotherapy to the residual breast tissue. The study group were women greater than 50 years of age with clinical stage I or II disease.
The conservative group had a higher incidence of local recurrence. However, this did not influence survival for stage I disease. Stage II disease had worse survival figures than for mastectomy.
The study was flawed in that the dose of radiotherapy was suboptimal.
Reference:
- Atkins, H., Hayward, J.L., Klugman, D.J., Wayte, A.B.; "Treatment of early breast cancer: a report after ten years of a clinical trial." BMJ, 1972; 2: 423-429.