Breast-Conserving Combination May Top Mastectomies for Survival: Study

Posted by Cancer Center Las Colinas on December 26th, 2017

 Women who are diagnosed with early stage breast cancer may find their doctors recommending a less aggressive course of treatment in some cases. Recent research shows that breast-conserving surgery combined with radiotherapy may provide better overall survival benefits than the more invasive, and commonly pursued mastectomy.

The study that found benefits in taking the breast-conserving route involved an analysis of previous studies included more than 37,000 women. All women in the study group had been diagnosed with breast cancer. The subjects were either treated with breast-conserving surgery and radiotherapy or mastectomies. Researchers ultimately found that breast-conserving surgery combined with radiotherapy had a significantly improved survival rate at the 10-year mark in most cases.

The study’s findings are significant as they come at a time when the use of mastectomies as a first line of treatment is continuing to grow. Even when not strictly called for based on tumor risk or aggressiveness, this more invasive procedure is being pursued by women and their doctors. In some cases, women are opting for double mastectomies in hopes of lowering their risk for development of the disease in the opposite breast. While mastectomies and prophylactic double mastectomies may sometimes be called for based on tumor risk, disease stage and certain genetic markers, researchers are finding many women are undergoing more intensive procedures by choice rather than strict medical necessity. The trend is particularly concerning to some healthcare professionals who fear that women are unnecessarily opening themselves up to greater risk and expense when it is not called for.

As the study showed, in many cases a more conservative approach can lead to positive outcomes in breast cancer treatment. The decision to pursue a lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy, however, should be carefully weighed based upon the facts of a woman’s unique case. When tumor risk, genetic markers and other factors indicate the combination treatment is feasible, women may find taking this route spares them from the risks associated with mastectomies and subsequent reconstruction procedures.

The American Cancer Society estimates more than 252,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer over the next 12 months. For many of these women, surgical intervention will be strongly recommended. If breast-conserving surgery coupled with radiotherapy is a viable option in a woman’s case, research is showing that this less invasive route may provide better survival chances or at least comparable ones. Women are urged, however, to carefully weigh all treatment recommendations with thier doctors to determine the best course of action in their unique cases.

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At Las Colinas Cancer Center, a Choice Cancer Care Treatment Center, our team is committed to providing the personalized, compassionate treatment that can make all the difference in cancer care.