ABSTRACT
The clinical area identified by the Philippine College of Surgeons (PCS) for the third evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (EBCPGs) was on the management of breast cancer. Funding for the research project was provided by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), and a Technical Working Group (TWG) was formed, composed of 5 general surgeons and 1 medical oncologist. The TWG was tasked to identify the clinical questions and to adhere to the PCS approved method of developing EBCPGs. The TWG decided to divide the report into two parts: Early Breast Cancer, and Locally Advanced and Metastatic Breast Cancer. This first report will focus on Early Breast Cancer The definition of early breast cancer is that used by the Early Breast Cancer Trialists Collaborative Group (EBCTG), since the regular systemic reviews (meta-analysis) of the group on the primary and adjuvant therapies of early breast cancer currently comprise the strongest evidence. "In women with "early breast cancer", all detectable cancer is, by definition, restricted to the breast and, in the case of node positive patients, the local lymph nodes can be removed surgically." The TWG began work on July 1, 2000. The literature search, limited to English publications, used both electronic and manual methods. Three electronic databases were used: 1) The Cochrane library, Issue 2, 2000; 2) National Library of Medicine-Medline (PubMed, no time limit); and HERDIN (Health Research and Development Information Network) Version 1, 1997 of DOST-PCHRD Titles of all articles were printed and at least 2 members of the TWG went over the list and checked the titles of articles whose abstract they felt should be read. The abstracts of all checked articles were printed. The printed abstracts were given to the members of the TWG, who then decided which articles were to be included for full text retrieval. The full texts were obtained from the University of the Philippines Manila Library, and were appraised using standard forms. The TWG then compiled, summarized and classified the evidence according to 3 levels and proposed a first draft to recommendations according to 3 categories.(Author)