CAUSES OF DEATH IN PATIENTS WITH STAGE 0-II BREAST CANCER

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Breast cancer remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
• Early-stage breast cancer (Stage 0-II) treatment involves surgery (breast conservation or mastectomy).
• Postoperative surveillance plays a role in detecting recurrence and metastasis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the primary causes of death in Stage 0-II breast cancer patients.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of current imaging surveillance protocols.
• To suggest improvements for enhanced patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 113 inpatient records from 2005-2012 at the Iasi Regional Cancer Institute, Romania.
• Patients were stratified by clinical stage (0, I, II) and surgical procedure (breast conservation vs. radical mastectomy).
• Analysis of all diagnostic imaging studies (ultrasound, radiography, CT) performed postoperatively.

Main Results:

• Common sites of metastasis included bone, liver, lung, and lymph nodes.
• Leading causes of death were metastases to the liver, pleura, lung, and brain.
• Time from recurrence to death was significantly shorter with multiple metastases (0-3 years) compared to single metastases (0-24 years).

Conclusions:

• Metastatic disease is the primary driver of mortality in early-stage breast cancer.
• Current imaging surveillance protocols may require optimization.
• Improved surveillance could enhance prognosis and quality of life for breast cancer survivors.