Partial breast irradiation produced similar results of survival rates and recurrence risk when compared with whole breast irradiation for several women with low-risk, early stage breast cancer, reports a new study. The findings of the study are presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting.
This randomized, phase 3 study compared whole breast irradiation with partial breast irradiation in a large group of women with stage 0, 1, or 2 breast cancer. More than 4,200 patients were enrolled in the trial as part of NRG Oncology cooperative group clinical trial.
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‘Certain early-stage breast cancer patients get similar results of long-term survival rates and risk for recurrence with partial breast irradiation compared to whole breast irradiation.’
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Study results showed that while partial breast irradiation does not produce equivalent cancer control for all breast cancer patients with stage 0, 1 and 2 diseases, it should still be considered as an alternative for women with DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) and early-stage breast cancers deemed "low risk," based on other tumor characteristics.
When looking at the entire study population, women who received partial breast irradiation experienced a 4.6 percent recurrence rate. Those who underwent whole breast irradiation experienced at 3.9 percent rate of recurrence. Toxicity from treatment was similar, as well as the risk for secondary cancers.
![Screening for Breast Cancer with Clinical Breast Examination]( "Screening for Breast Cancer with Clinical Breast Examination")
Clinical breast examination is a simple and inexpensive method of detecting breast cancer especially in women who do not have access to mammography.
However, researchers also looked at how this played out in subsegments of the population and found that rates of recurrence were nearly identical for women with DCIS, regardless of whether they received whole or partial breast irradiation. This was also true for women with breast cancer classified as low-risk, based on the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) clinical guidelines.
Researchers showed that in this subsegment of breast cancer patients, the likelihood of recurrence 10-years post-treatment was very low overall and almost identical between women who received whole breast irradiation (2.3 percent) and partial breast irradiation (2.7 percent). Julia White, MD, co-principal investigator of the national trial and head of breast radiation oncology at the OSUCCC - James says this is very important because it reduces the burden of care for women who can still achieve cancer control with fewer treatments, over a shorter period of time.
"A significant portion of the breast cancer patient population nationally - about 25,000 to 30,000 women would qualify for partial breast irradiation. This is tremendously important because it allows us to give women the right amount of treatment for her disease, and potentially allowing better access to effective breast conservation for those who live far from a radiation facility. Partial breast irradiation can also be delivered in five consecutive days versus the whole breast, which can involve four to six consecutive weeks of multi-day treatment. There is no denying that the five-day treatment is less costly and disruptive to life."
At the OSUCCC - James, breast radiation is also delivered in the face down (prone) position to reduce radiation exposure in the chest wall, which has been linked to increased risk of heart and lung disease post cancer treatment.
Source: Eurekalert
Screening for Breast Cancer with Clinical Breast Examination
Clinical breast examination is a simple and inexpensive method of detecting breast cancer especially in women who do not have access to mammography.
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However, researchers also looked at how this played out in subsegments of the population and found that rates of recurrence were nearly identical for women with DCIS, regardless of whether they received whole or partial breast irradiation. This was also true for women with breast cancer classified as low-risk, based on the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) clinical guidelines.
Researchers showed that in this subsegment of breast cancer patients, the likelihood of recurrence 10-years post-treatment was very low overall and almost identical between women who received whole breast irradiation (2.3 percent) and partial breast irradiation (2.7 percent). Julia White, MD, co-principal investigator of the national trial and head of breast radiation oncology at the OSUCCC - James says this is very important because it reduces the burden of care for women who can still achieve cancer control with fewer treatments, over a shorter period of time.
"A significant portion of the breast cancer patient population nationally - about 25,000 to 30,000 women would qualify for partial breast irradiation. This is tremendously important because it allows us to give women the right amount of treatment for her disease, and potentially allowing better access to effective breast conservation for those who live far from a radiation facility. Partial breast irradiation can also be delivered in five consecutive days versus the whole breast, which can involve four to six consecutive weeks of multi-day treatment. There is no denying that the five-day treatment is less costly and disruptive to life."
At the OSUCCC - James, breast radiation is also delivered in the face down (prone) position to reduce radiation exposure in the chest wall, which has been linked to increased risk of heart and lung disease post cancer treatment.
Source: Eurekalert
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Triple-negative breast cancers are ER negative, PR negative, and lack overexpression of HER-2. They are difficult to treat and are very aggressive.
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 Breast Cancer - Prevention and Management with Lifestyle ChangesLifestyle choices may or may not cause breast cancer but healthy lifestyle changes can open up avenues beyond breast cancer. Good habits will allow one to fight breast cancer and to live with dignity. | Advertisement
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