Second Malignancies After Breast Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Kirova Y M, De Rycke Y, Gambotti L, Pierga J-Y, Asselain B, Fourquet A
Primary Institution: Institut Curie
Hypothesis
Treatment for non-metastatic breast cancer (BC) may be the cause of second malignancies in long-term survivors.
Conclusion
There is a significantly increased risk of several kinds of second malignancy in women treated for BC, compared with the general population.
Supporting Evidence
- 709 patients developed a second malignancy after a median follow-up of 10.5 years.
- The greatest increases in risk were for leukaemia, ovarian cancer, and gynaecological cancer.
- Chemotherapy was the most significant risk factor for leukaemia.
- Radiotherapy had a lesser effect on leukaemia and gynaecological cancer incidence.
- No increased risk was observed for malignant melanoma, lymphoma, or thyroid cancer.
Takeaway
Women who have had breast cancer might get other types of cancer later because of the treatments they received, but the chances are still small.
Methodology
Data for 16,705 BC survivors treated at the Curie Institute were analyzed, comparing the incidence of second malignancies with the general population.
Limitations
The incidence of second malignancies may be underestimated due to the long latency period of some tumors.
Participant Demographics
Median age at diagnosis was 56.2 years; 80.6% received radiation therapy.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.0001
Confidence Interval
1.52–2.75
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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