A retrospective analysis was undertaken to determine the efficacy of postoperative radiotherapy in patients with primary sarcoma of the breast.

Ten patients with high-grade nonmetastatic primary sarcoma of the breast were treated at the National Cancer Institute, NIH, between 1979 and 1989 with mastectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy. Chemotherapy was given to three patients as part of a randomized trial.

With a median potential followup of 99 months postoperatively, seven patients remain alive and without evidence of disease 142, 119, 82, 48, 45, 28, and 19 months postoperatively. Three patients died of metastatic disease 7, 25, and 29 months, postoperatively. There were no local or regional failures. Actuarial 5-year disease free and overall survival were 68% and 66%, respectively.

Sarcomas of the breast have a prognosis similar to that of extremity sarcomas. When adjuvant radiotherapy is used, excellent local control may be achieved.