Local results of irradiation in the primary management of localized breast cancer

In this study, 89 pathologically node-positive patients received 4000 rad in 4 weeks with 250 kV irradiation to the supraclavicular fossa and 6 (7%) developed a supraclavicular failure. A further 273 pathologically node-positive patients received 5000 rad in 4 weeks with cesium, cobalt or electron beam irradiation to the supraclavicular fossa and 4 (1.3%) developed a supraclavicular failure. In the absence of irradiation, supraclavicular failure was seen in 20-25% of cases. Similar findings were seen for control in the axilla.