Age does not influence recurrence risk in early breast cancer patients

MedWire News: Young women with an early type of breast cancer called ductal carcinoma in situ do not have a greater risk of cancer recurrence after undergoing breast-conserving treatment than their older counterparts, study results show.

Previous reports have indicated that breast cancer patients aged younger than 40 years may have an increased risk of cancer recurrence after treatment, compared with older patients, explain Gary Freedman, from Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, and team.

To investigate further, the researchers studied data on 440 women with ductal carcinoma in situ who were treated with breast-conserving surgery and whole-breast radiotherapy between 1978 and 2007. Almost all patients also received a radiation boost to the tumour site and scar after surgery to improve the chances of a successful outcome.

In total, 24 patients were aged 40 years or younger at the time of treatment.

The researchers found that, overall, 7% of the women redeveloped cancer near the site of the original tumour within 10 years of treatment and 8% experienced cancer recurrence within 15 years.

There was no significant difference in breast cancer recurrence rates between women aged 40 years or younger and older women.

“We report very low risks of local recurrence after breast-conserving surgery plus radiotherapy for ductal carcinoma in situ, even in young patients aged 40 years or less,” conclude Dr Freedman and team.

They add: “These data may better allow teams of multispeciality physicians to communicate risks and benefits of breast conservation with their patients, particularly those of younger age.”