Radiotherapy and tamoxifen can reduce the risk of recurrence in breast cancer patients who underwent conservative surgery

This study compared the benefits of radiotherapy and tamoxifen in reducing the risk of local recurrence (return of the cancer close to initial place of origin) in patients with early breast cancer who underwent breast conserving surgery (BCS).

Women with early breast cancer usually have tumors that are confined to the breast tissue. Treatment for these patients often involves surgery to remove the cancerous lump only, while conserving the normal shape of the breast as much as possible. This type of surgery is referred to as BCS or lumpectomy. However, this procedure does not completely eliminate the risk of the cancer recurring. Therefore, in order to minimize this risk, patients may benefit from other therapies such as radiotherapy or hormonal therapy such as tamoxifen (Nolvadex). Such therapies after surgery as main treatment for breast cancer are known as adjuvant therapies. This study aimed to compare the benefits in terms of recurrence of adjuvant radiotherapy, tamoxifen or both treatments in patients with early breast cancer treated with BCS.

This study included 1135 patients with early stage breast cancer who underwent BCS. Patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups: those who received adjuvant radiotherapy, those who received adjuvant tamoxifen, those who received both treatments and those who did not receive any adjuvant treatment. After approximately 10 years of follow-up, the percentage of all patients who survived breast cancer was 96%.

The authors of the study found that patients who received radiotherapy after BCS had a 63% lower risk of developing a recurrence compared to patients who did not receive adjuvant radiotherapy. Also, patients treated with adjuvant tamoxifen had a 67% lower risk of local recurrence than patients who did not receive adjuvant tamoxifen. In patients who did not receive any adjuvant treatment, the annual risk of developing a local recurrence was 2.2%, compared to 0.8% in patients receiving adjuvant radiotherapy only or adjuvant tamoxifen only and 0.2% in patients treated with both adjuvant radiotherapy and adjuvant tamoxifen.

In summary, breast cancer patients who received adjuvant radiotherapy or adjuvant tamoxifen had a significantly lower risk of developing local recurrence after BCS compared to women who did not receive any adjuvant treatment. The most significant benefit was seen in patients who received both radiotherapy and tamoxifen after BCS.

Talk to your doctor about adjuvant therapies to see which therapy is the most appropriate in your situation.