[Impact of induction chemotherapy in the treatment of breast cancer].

Two hundred and six women with a breast cancer T2 ou T3, N0, N1, M0 were randomized. One hundred and one had mastectomy and 78 with at least one poor prognosis factor received adjuvant chemotherapy. One hundred and five received first chemotherapy and 64 out of the 105 were proposed breast conservation. Retrospectively, costs of treatment in time, trips and physical sequelae were evaluated. Treatment was ten weeks longer and trips one thousand kilometers longer in conserving therapy. The cosmetic result evaluated by a nurse was good for 95% of women with conserving therapy. A self evaluation on physical, psychological, sexual and social conditions made by 64 women, one year after the end of treatment, showed no difference between the two groups. Review of literature confirmed that the impact of treatment has to be considered and carefully evaluated.