Survival rate following treatment of primary breast cancer in Semnan, Iran (1991-2002)

Introduction: Breast carcinoma is the most common cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer related mortality after lung cancer. Survival rate is an important index for evaluating the overall effectiveness of cancer diagnosis and treatment. The present study was performed to estimate survival rate in women with breast cancer diagnosed and treated by Modified Radical Mastectomy (MRM) at Emdad Hospital in Semnan. Materials and Methods: This study was rendered through 1991-2002 using extracting recorded data of patients, which had been treated by MRM at Emdad hospital in Semnan. The patients were subsequently followed up for their survival and further information. Results: The mean age (±SD) of patients was 51.5±14.0 years. The most common type of malignancy and stage of disease were invasive ductal carcinoma and stage III at the time of diagnosis. Increase of age (P=0.002) and the stage of disease (P=0.000) were associated with shorter survival. The 5-year and 10-year survival for stage I patients was 100% , for stage II 77% and 65%, for stage III, 23% and 12%, and taking overall, they were 58% and 47%, respectively. Conclusion: The survival for stages I and II was similar to other countries, but for stage III was poor in Semnan. In addition, the cumulative 5-year and 10-year survival was poor as well. Increase of age and stage at the time of diagnosis and lack of chemotherapy and radiotherapy site are some causes of shorter survival. Therefore, education to early diagnosis of breast cancer in women must be considered and followed seriously.