Resumen

SANCHEZ R, CÉSAR et al. Evaluation of a computer program in use of adjuvant chemotherapy in early breast cancer. Rev Chil Cir [online]. 2007, vol.59, n.2, pp. 109-115. ISSN 0718-4026.  doi: 10.4067/S0718-40262007000200005.

Breast cancer is the second cause of female death in Chile. Adjuvant chemotherapy has reduced breast cancer recurrence and death. The decision to use adjuvant chemotherapy for a specific patient is complex and must consider the general condition of the patient and its risks of recurrence and death. The computer model called Adjuvant! was designed for breast cancer to predict survival and determine the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy. The Adjuvant! model was calculated for our population of breast cancer patients to determine the predicted benefit of chemotherapy and compare it with the actual indication. The Adjuvant model was applied to 125 patients with early breast cancer, (T1N0M0), treated with breast conserving surgery and post operative radiotherapy. Adjuvant chemotherapy was use in 20 patients (16%). According to the predictive model the absolute 10-year survival benefit with chemotherapy is 1.3% (0.1-11.1%) and the absolute recurrence risk reduction is 6.45% (0.4-20%). For 25% of the patients chemotherapy would result in an overall survival benefit larger than 2% and for 58.4% (73/125) larger than 1%. In our series 50% (10/20) received chemotherapy with a predicted overall survival benefit less than 2%. The median benefit with the combination of chemotherapy and hormonal therapy in overall survival was 1.8% (0.2-11.1) and in disease free survival was 10.5% (1-25.6%). Reports from the literature indicate that more that 50% of patients treated with chemotherapy would agree to receive it again for a benefit less than 1%

Palabras clave : Breast; chemotherapy; adjuvant.