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Long-term complications associated with breast-conservation surgery and radiotherapy
Funda Meric1, Thomas A Buchholz, Nadeem Q Mirza
1Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.
Annals of Surgical Oncology
|July 4, 2002
Summary
Breast-conservation surgery plus radiotherapy is safe for early-stage breast cancer, with low long-term complication rates. Axillary dissection contributed significantly to complications like arm edema.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Surgical Oncology
- Radiation Oncology
Background:
- Breast-conservation surgery plus radiotherapy is a standard treatment for early-stage breast cancer.
- Long-term complications of this treatment modality require thorough evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the incidence and types of long-term complications following breast-conservation surgery and radiotherapy.
- To identify factors associated with increased complication rates.
Main Methods:
- Prospective monitoring of 294 patients treated between 1990-1992 with at least 1 year follow-up.
- Evaluation of treatment-related complications, with a median follow-up of 89 months.
Main Results:
- Grade 2 or higher late complications occurred in 9.9% of patients.
- Common complications included arm edema (13 patients) and breast skin fibrosis (12 patients).
- Arm edema was more frequent after lumpectomy with axillary node dissection (18%) compared to lumpectomy alone (10%).
Conclusions:
- Breast-conservation surgery plus radiotherapy demonstrates a low rate of significant long-term complications.
- Axillary dissection is a major contributor to these complications, particularly arm edema.
- Future strategies, such as sentinel lymph node biopsy, may further reduce complication rates.