Controversies in Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer
By Carol Kornmehl
Non-invasive breast cancer, also known as ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS, is highly curable. It is most commonly detected on a screening mammogram. The standard of care is surgical removal, followed by breast radiation therapy, in women who wish to conserve their breast. The alternative is a mastectomy. Both modalities have equal survival outcomes. However, there has been a great deal of controversy about the necessity for radiation therapy for DCIS in women who opt for breast conservation.
Proponents for radiation therapy underscore the fact that the risk of a recurrence in the breast can be a more aggressive or even an invasive recurrence. Half of these recurrences are due to invasive breast cancer. The latter has the potential to spread to lymph nodes of the underarm and to other parts of the body. Without radiation therapy, the risk of a local recurrence is approximately 20%. By adding radiation therapy, the risk of such a failure is reduced by half. Needless to say, this is a substantial benefit.
The experts who do not support the routine use of radiation therapy for DCIS espouse that there is no difference in long-term survival between women who undergo radiation therapy versus those who do not. A woman who is willing to accept the higher risk of a recurrence in the breast may be treated with surgical removal alone. The question then arises: which women with DCIS should undergo radiation therapy and which should be observed?
Since the potential common side effects from radiation therapy, such as a skin reaction and fatigue, are temporary and the woman s risk for developing an invasive and potentially life threatening breast recurrence is significant, it is prudent for women to take the more aggressive approach.
Breast Cancer-Some Common Myths
...
Myths And Facts About Breast Cancer
...
Radiation therapy should be strongly considered for young women, women who have close margins, women with DCIS measuring more than
.
Related Articles
Leave Your Reply Here