In a nutshell
The authors aimed to study the best course of surgical treatment for women with low-risk early breast cancer.
Some background
Breast-conserving therapy (the removal of the tumor and some surrounding breast tissue) is often recommended for women with early breast cancer. It is generally followed by radiation therapy (using radiation to control or kill cancer cells). Mastectomy is an alternative surgery that involves the removal of the entire breast.
Previously, there has been no difference in survival rates between breast-conserving therapy and mastectomy treatments. New studies, however, suggest that women with early breast cancer have increased survival following breast-conserving therapy.
Methods & findings
The aim of this study was to determine the best surgical treatment for women with early breast cancer; mastectomy or breast-conserving therapy
193,521 women with early breast cancer were evaluated, of which, 59% received breast-conserving therapy and 41% received mastectomy. 63% of the total number of women were considered to have low-risk early breast cancer. In this study, a low-risk tumor was defined as having an ER+ status (cancer cells positive for estrogen receptor proteins) with a low-grade (describes how quickly a tumor may grow).
Overall, there was a 66% increased likelihood of death from breast cancer in women with low-risk breast cancer following mastectomy in comparison to breast-conserving therapy. Mastectomy treatment was therefore associated with lower survival rates.
More patients with low-risk breast cancer who received breast-conserving therapy were alive after ten years (96.1%) compared to those who received a mastectomy (92.4%).
The bottom line
The authors concluded that breast-conserving therapy is a valid treatment option for women with early breast cancer that is low risk.
The fine print
The survival rates of breast-conserving therapy are best seen in women with low-risk tumors.
What’s next?
If you have low-risk early breast cancer, talk to your doctor about the best course of treatment.
Published By :
Cancer
Date :
Apr 28, 2015
