TABLE II.

Reviews of the association between surgical removal of a primary tumour and local control in metastatic breast cancer

Reference	Pts (n)	Period of diagnosis	Setting	Primary surgery (n)?	pfs	p Valueb	Notes
Hazard et al., 200812	111	1995–2005	Hospital-based	Yes: 47	34%	0.002	Chest wall control was associated with improved os regardless of whether surgical resection of the tumour was performed (hr: 0.415; p < 0.0002)
				No: 64	82%
Carmichael et al., 200325	20	1993–1999	Hospital-based	20	85% at last follow-up	na	Single arm; retrospective; median follow-up: 20 months

Pts = patients; pfs = progression-free survival; os = overall survival; hr = hazard ratio; na = not available.