The international surgical journal with global reach

This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

Follow‐up may not be beneficial after treatment of grade 1 breast cancer. BJS 2009; 96: 999-1004.

Published: 30th July 2009

Authors: M. Kontos, D. Allen, D. T. Trafalis, G. Jones, H. Garmo, L. Holmberg et al.

Background

Identification of women treated for breast cancer who have a low risk of locoregional recurrence or contralateral breast cancer, and who can be discharged safely from follow‐up, would lower costs without compromising prognosis. This study investigated the risk of locoregional recurrence and contralateral breast cancer in women treated for grade 1 breast cancer.

Method

Some 1143 women who had surgery for breast cancer were followed, and the rate of locoregional recurrence or contralateral breast cancer was determined. The risk was compared to the tumour grade.

Results

At a mean follow‐up of 9·1 years, 10‐year estimates of the cumulative risk of locoregional recurrence or contralateral breast cancer for grade 1, 2 and 3 breast cancer were 0·03 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 0·01 to 0·08), 0·12 (0·09 to 0·15) and 0·16 (0·13 to 0·20) respectively. Grade 1 tumours had a risk of locoregional recurrence or contralateral breast cancer of 285 (95 per cent c.i. 93 to 670) per 100 000 person‐years.

Conclusion

Women treated for grade 1 breast cancer could be discharged from follow‐up after completion of the primary treatment, without compromising their quality of care. Copyright © 2009 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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