Adjuvant chemotherapy for operable breast cancer with positive axillary nodes: A comparison of CMFVP versus L-PAM

This 5-year update of a study by the Southwest Oncology Group continues to show that combination chemotherapy utilizing cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, vincristine, and prednisone (CMFVP) is superior to melphalan (L-PAM) used alone. Adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with operable breast cancer and positive axillary nodes treated with continuous CMFVP confers a significantly longer disease-free and total survival compared to those treated with intermittent L-PAM. This significant decrease in recurrence and prolongation of survival are demonstrated for the entire CMFVP group and in the following subgroups: premenopausal, postmenopausal, and women with 4 or more axillary nodes. Women with 1 to 3 axillary nodes have a significantly longer disease-free interval, but a total survival advantage is not statistically significant. © 1985 Société Internationale de Chirurgie.