Strahlentherapie und Onkologie : Organ der Deutschen Röntgengesellschaft ... [et al]
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To evaluate the impact of extracapsular extension (ECE) on locoregional and distant control in breast cancer patients with one to three positive axillary lymph nodes treated with postoperative irradiation. As shown in literature, ECE is diagnosed in up to 30% of node-positive breast cancer patients. Consequences of ECE and prognosis of these patients are unclear. ⋯ Locoregional recurrence remains low in breast cancer patients (one to three positive axillary lymph nodes +/- ECE) treated with surgery, adequate axillary dissection, and tangential field irradiation only. However, ECE is significantly linked to a considerable risk for subsequent distant failure.