Abstract
In western countries, the results of prospective randomized trials for early breast cancer comparing conservative surgery and radiation to either radical mastectomy or modified radical mastectomy revealed no difference between the two treatments in terms of local-regional recurrence, distant metastases and long term survival.
The number of cases for breast conservation therapy is rapidly increasing without its own scientific background in Japan. So we are obligated to present reliable data, including not only local recurrence and long term survival but also cosmetic results from the viewpoint of the radiation oncologist. The database working group for breast conservastion therapy was inaugurated in October 1993.
The collected items are as follows; basic patient information, pretreatment information, operative and pathological information, radiation technique, side effect, local control, survival and cosmetic result. The data are input into a personal computer and transmitted through a telephone circuit to the database at the Medical Information System Development Center (MEDIS). We started this on-line database system on a trial basis in July 1994. The initial experience has been successful, and so far more than 150 cases have been registered. We are calling for the participation of other hospital.
If the current database system were to be adopted by the main radiation therapy facilities and a large amount of reliable data be accrued, we would be able to present appropriate indications of breast conservation therapy for early breast cancer in Japan.
