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Recurrence rates for lumpectomy, no radiation?

Page last modified on: November 20, 2008
Question from Mags: Could you speak to the press release that came out today regarding lumpectomy with no radiation recurrence rates? Is there some additional information that you can provide regarding this study? Thank you.
Answers —Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H.: There were a couple of studies looking at omission of radiation therapy. One of these studies was in women over the age of 70. This study had over 600 patients who were followed for over 8 years. It appears that there is a real, albeit small benefit of radiation therapy in this group of women over 70. The risk of disease coming back in the breast was very small at the 8-year mark, so the use of radiation therapy can help make that small number even smaller.
Marisa Weiss, M.D., president and founder: Radiation therapy can reduce the risk of recurrence in the breast by about two-thirds for women with invasive disease, and 50% in women with ductal carcinoma in situ (non-invasive breast cancer). The value that radiation might bring to you depends on your own risk of recurrence. If your risk starts out small, radiation can make it smaller. You have to work with your doctor to decide if going from a small to a tiny risk is worth getting the treatment. If your risk is medium, radiation can help make the medium risk small. Most women who are facing any significant risk of recurrence will want to do any reasonable treatment that can reduce the risk of them ever having cancer again. This is something to talk to your doctor about.
Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H.: The second study that was very interesting to me was of over 5,000 patients with early stage breast cancer. Patients were randomly assigned to receive an extra dose of radiation therapy, called a "boost," compared to no boost. It appears from this study as though patients younger than 40 years benefited from this extra boost more than older patients (not that 42 years old, for example, is old). We're getting smarter at fine-tuning our treatments, which may help us avoid unnecessary treatment in some people. Your particular treatment will be determined by your particular situation.

On Wednesday, December 20, 2006, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Updates from the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2006. Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. and moderator Marisa Weiss, M.D. answered your questions about the newest research on breast cancer treatment, side effects, risk of recurrence, and more.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H.Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. is a medical oncologist specializing in the treatment of breast cancer, with a a special interest in cancer survivorship, patient-physician communication, and quality of care for women with breast cancer.

Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.

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