Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing either cytotoxic chemotherapy with control, tamoxifen with control, or combined cytotoxic chemotherapy plus tamoxifen with either agent alone or control. For studies which have been published at sequential follow up times, the most recent available data was used.
Specific interventions included in the review
Oral LMF (chlorambucil [Leukeran], methotrexate, fluorouracil);
Oral LMF followed by bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) skin scarification;
Adjuvant CMF (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, fluorouracil);
Sequential methotrexate, fluorouracil, leucovorin;
Adjuvant CMFP (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, fluorouracil, prednisone)
Adjuvant tamoxifen (10 mg bid or 20 mg daily).
Participants included in the review
Patients with node negative breast cancer were included.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Disease-free survival (length of time until breast cancer recurrence or death) and overall survival were assessed.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors do not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many of the authors performed the selection.