Lumpectomy with or without radiotherapy for breast cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Holli K, Saaristo R, Isola J, Joensuu H, Hakama M
Primary Institution: University Hospital and University of Tampere
Hypothesis
Does adding post-operative radiotherapy to lumpectomy improve outcomes for breast cancer patients with favorable prognostic features?
Conclusion
Post-operative radiotherapy reduces local cancer recurrence but does not significantly improve breast preservation rates.
Supporting Evidence
- 13 cancers recurred locally in the no-XRT group compared to 6 in the XRT group.
- The ultimate breast preservation rate was similar between the two groups.
- Distant metastasis-free survival rates were not significantly different.
- 5-year cancer-specific survival rates were high in both groups.
Takeaway
This study looked at whether giving radiation after breast surgery helps women with certain types of breast cancer. It found that radiation can help prevent the cancer from coming back, but it doesn't really help keep the breast intact.
Methodology
152 women were randomly assigned to receive either lumpectomy alone or lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy.
Limitations
The study only included women over 40 with specific types of breast cancer, which may limit the generalizability of the results.
Participant Demographics
Women aged over 40 with unifocal, invasive node-negative breast cancer.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.03
Statistical Significance
p=0.03
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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