Postoperative radiation may provide long-term protection against breast cancer recurrence

FRIDAY, Aug. 9, 2024 (HealthDay News) — Radiation therapy after surgery can prevent breast cancer from coming back for up to 10 years, a new study says.

The study supports the current standard of care for early-stage breast cancer, which involves surgery followed by radiation therapy, the researchers said.

“Our evidence suggests that radiotherapy protects against cancer coming back in the same breast for up to 10 years,” said researcher Ian Kunkler, professor of clinical oncology at the Institute of Genetics and Cancer at the University of Edinburgh.

“It supports the continued use of radiation therapy after breast-conserving surgery for the majority of patients with early breast cancer,” Kunkler added in a university news release.

In the study, researchers analyzed the outcomes of 585 Scottish women who received treatment for early-stage breast cancer.

Half received radiation therapy and half did not. Radiation therapy uses high doses of radiation to destroy any cancer cells that remain after a breast tumor has been removed.

After 10 years, cancer recurred in 16% of those treated with radiation therapy at the same location, compared with 36% of those who did not receive radiation.

The overall average survival rates after 30 years were similar between the two groups: 19.2 years for those who received radiation therapy and 18.7 for those who did not.

There were fewer deaths from breast cancer among those who received radiation therapy, 37 percent versus 46 percent.

However, there were more deaths from other cancers in the radiotherapy group, 20% versus 11%.

The study appears in the August 7 issue of The Lancet Oncology.

“This 30-year study marks the longest follow-up of postoperative radiotherapy in the treatment of early-stage breast cancer,” said lead researcher Dr Linda Williams from the University of Edinburgh. “Long-term studies like this, which go beyond 10 years of follow-up, are crucial to fully assess the risks and benefits of treatments.”

More information

The National Breast Cancer Foundation offers more information about breast cancer treatment options.

SOURCE: University of Edinburgh, press release, 7 August 2024