Benefits of Radiotherapy After Breast-Conserving Surgery

Long-term meta-analysis shows lower risks for recurrence and breast cancer death.

The rationale for radiotherapy after breast-conserving therapy is to eliminate remaining microscopic disease. Researchers in the Early Breast Cancer Trialists' Collaborative Group (EBCTCG) conducted a meta-analysis of 17 randomized trials of whole-breast radiotherapy versus no radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) that involved 10,801 women with invasive breast cancer (8337 of whom had known pathologic axillary nodal status [pN]). Approximately two thirds of patients received treatment 20 to 35 years ago. Unlike previous meta-analyses by the EBCTCG, this study focused on first recurrences of any type (including distant recurrences) rather than locoregional recurrences alone.

Adding radiotherapy after BCS significantly lowered 10…

Reviewing Author

Henry Mark Kuerer, MD, PhD, FACS

Disclosures

Speaker's BureauPhysicians’ Education Resource, LLC

RoyaltiesMcGraw-Hill Professional; UpToDate, Inc.

Editorial BoardsAnnals of Surgical Oncology

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Breast Surgeons (Chair, Publications Committee)