Researchers from the Netherlands have reported that the risk of local recurrence persists at 15 years of follow-up in women with localized breast cancer treated with breast conserving therapy. The details of this study appeared in an early online publication in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics on January 30, 2008.¹

Women who survive an initial breast cancer are at increased risk for ipsilateral breast cancer if they have had breast conservation surgery. They are also at increased risk for contralateral breast cancer after lumpectomy or mastectomy. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have reported that the incidence of contralateral breast cancer in women undergoing breast-conservation therapy and radiation therapy is 15.4% during a 20-year period. It is important that a regular screening program be carried out in women who have had breast cancer. However, a previous study has shown that the use of screening mammography among breast cancer survivors decreases over time despite the increased risk of breast cancer recurrence.

The current study looked at more than 1,000 women treated with breast conserving therapy for localized breast cancer. With a median follow-up of 13 years, 114 patients had an ipsilateral recurrence. The rate of ipsilateral breast cancer was 9.3% at 10 years and 13.8% at 15 years. These authors suggested that there was no plateau on the relapse curve at 15 years. Positive surgical margins and vascular invasion increased the risk of recurrence.

Comments: These findings are important as they emphasize the need for yearly mammograms or other screening procedures in women who have had breast conserving therapy. Some studies suggest that women who are “cured” of breast cancer become complacent and non-compliant with screening after treatment.

Related News:

Risk of Contralateral Breast Cancer Persists for 20 Years or More (11/28/2006)

Women With Breast Cancer Neglecting Repeat Mammography (05/25/2006)

Reference:

¹ Kreike B, Augustinus AM, van de Velde T, et al. Continuing risk of ipsilateral breast relapse after breast-conserving therapy a long-term follow-up. International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics [early online publication]. January 30, 2008.