The curability of breast cancer

Abstract

The age-correlated survival rates for 982 women treated for localised breast cancer were analysed retrospectively. Analysis by size of the primary cancer showed that those with smaller. cancers had a significantly higher survival rate and a significantly reduced probability of dying of cancer. Cured groups of patients were identified for all but those with the smallest tumours—2.0 cm in diameter or smaller. A longer period of follow-up (to 25 years) is necessary to establish the presence of a large cured group in such cases. © 1976, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.