Cancer Of The Breast Treated Medically

Abstract

A series of 250 cases of untreated breast cancer from the records of the Middlesex Hospital between 1805 and 1933 are reviewed. In all cases, a post-mortem examination had been performed, and in 86 cases seen between 1902 and 1933 histological material was also available. Age distribution was comparable to that seen in a large modern treated series. Nearly three-quarters of the cases had a history longer than one year, 24% more than 3 years, and 12% more than 5 years. The vast majority of cases were advanced when first seen, 74.4% being in stage 4, 23.2% in stage 3, and only 2.4% in stage 2. There were no stage 1 cases. No definite relationship was found between age and prognosis, although it is possible that the outlook for patients in the fifties may be slightly worse than for those in other age groups. Patients with breast cancer may survive for many years without specific treatment. Spontaneous regression was not observed although fluctuation in growth rate of the primary tumour was noted in one patient. The mean duration of life from onset of symptoms was 3 years: 18% survived 5 years, 3.6%, 10 years, and 0.8% 15 years. The longest survival was 18 years and 3 months. Three other patients survived over 13 years.