Mastectomy May Be an Inferior Oncologic Approach Compared to Breast Preservation

Multiple randomized studies have demonstrated that breast-conserving therapy (partial mastectomy plus whole breast radiation) can yield survival outcomes equivalent to those of mastectomy (1). However, newer population-based data suggest that breast cancer –specific survival and overall survival with breast-conserving therapy may actually be better than those with mastectomy (2-8). How is this possible? How can removal of the breast yield outcomes inferior to those of a therapy that leaves most of the breast intact and where in-breast failures are r eported to occur in approximately 5% to 10% of patients at 10 years posttreatment in historical series (1) (albeit with lower rates over time (9), especially in favorable patients (10))?
Source: International Journal of Radiation Oncology * Biology * Physics - Category: Radiology Authors: Tags: Clinical Investigation Source Type: research