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Is breast cancer survival improving?
Sharon H Giordano1, Aman U Buzdar, Terry L Smith
1Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. sgiordan@mdanderson.org
Cancer
|December 24, 2003
Summary
Survival for women with recurrent breast cancer has improved between 1974 and 2000. This study analyzed 834 patients, finding that later recurrence year correlated with better outcomes, even after accounting for other factors.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Clinical Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Improving survival for recurrent or metastatic breast cancer remains challenging despite therapeutic advances.
- This study aimed to assess survival trends in recurrent breast cancer patients from 1974 to 2000.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if survival has improved for women with recurrent breast cancer over a 26-year period.
- To analyze the association between the year of breast cancer recurrence and patient survival.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of survival data from 834 women with recurrent breast cancer (1974-2000).
- Patients were grouped by recurrence year and compared; a multivariate model adjusted for prognostic factors.
- Key prognostic variables included tumor size, disease stage, lymph node involvement, disease-free interval, and receptor status.
Main Results:
- Unadjusted analysis showed significant survival improvement with later recurrence years (P < 0.001).
- Factors predicting longer survival included smaller tumors, lower stage, fewer positive lymph nodes, longer disease-free interval, ER-positive status, and non-visceral recurrence.
- Multivariate analysis indicated a trend towards improved survival, with a 1% risk reduction per year of recurrence.
Conclusions:
- Data suggest an improved prognosis for patients with recurrent breast cancer between 1974 and 2000.
- The findings highlight a gradual improvement in survival outcomes for this patient population over time.