ASCO 2010 Report: Breast Cancer

Key trials focused on surgical approaches, eribulin, and bevacizumab plus chemotherapy.

Sentinel Node Resection vs. Axillary Dissection

Axillary dissection has long been associated with a modest survival advantage. In NSABP B-32, a phase III trial, investigators compared sentinel node resection (SNR) with axillary dissection (AD) in women with axillary node–negative early breast cancer. Patients were randomized to SNR alone or SNR plus AD; participating surgeons were carefully trained and audited and were remarkably compliant to all aspects of the study. A total of 3989 SN-negative patients were followed (median time on study, 95 months). Disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and rates of local and regional recurrences as first events were similar between groups. Not surprising, patients who underwent AD had more …

Author

William J. Gradishar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardLilly; AstraZeneca; Gilead

Grant/Research SupportBreast Cancer Research Foundation

Editorial BoardsClinical Breast Cancer; Oncology; Annals of Surgery; Breast Cancer Research and Treatment

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNational Comprehensive Cancer Network (Chair, Breast Cancer Panel); American Board of Internal Medicine (Medical Oncology Board)