Effect of Chemotherapy for Luminal A Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND The addition of chemotherapy to endocrine therapy for luminal A breast cancer generally provides little benefit. However, the least benefit of chemotherapy in all patients with luminal A breast cancer is controversial. METHODS This was a retrospective study of 140 patients with luminal A breast cancer who underwent surgery at Tottori University Hospital between 2001 and 2010. Luminal A breast cancer was defined as positive for estrogen receptors and/or progesterone receptors and negative for human epidermal growth factor 2. Postoperative endocrine therapy was given to all patients. The prognostic values of age, tumor size, presence of lymphovascular invasion and lymph node status were evaluated. In addition, the prognostic value of chemotherapy for patients with identified risk factors affecting relapse-free survival and overall survival was evaluated. RESULTS Tumor size greater than 2 cm and positive lymph node status were factors significantly affecting relapse-free survival. There were no factors significantly affecting overall survival. There was no significant difference in the relapse-free survival of patients with tumor size greater than 2 cm and/or positive lymph node status who either received chemotherapy or not. However, the relapse event was earlier in patients with tumor size greater than 2 cm and positive lymph node status who did not receive chemotherapy than in those who received chemotherapy. CONCLUSION Chemotherapy could provide little benefit to patients with luminal A breast cancer. However, chemotherapy may bring them longer relapse-free periods.