Radiation Benefit for Breast Cancer Shown (Survival)

The results of an analysis of the impact of RT. It is accepted that there are significant benifits for RT in regional and contrlateral occurence, but the impact on long term survival has always been more difficult to find statistics for.

I have not seen the full trial.

RB


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...121501713.html


ABSTRACT

The radiation treatments that millions of patients with early-stage breast cancer receive significantly reduce their chances of dying from the disease, according to a large international study that for the first time documents that the therapy saves lives.

The analysis of data collected from more than 42,000 women with early breast cancer worldwide found that those who underwent radiation after having a lumpectomy and mastectomy were about 5 percent less likely to die from the disease over the next 15 years.

[DeborahNC]

I had 35 RT after a lumpectomy for DCIS in 2003. Sept. 05 DCIS recurrred along with IDC in the lumpectomy scar. Had bilateral mastectomies and am having 6 cycles Taxol & Herceptin.

Maybe RT either delayed or lessened my recurrance; according to my doc I was one of the 10% he saw recur after my initial treatment. My hope now is that I'll be in the group with the favorable odds through Herceptin treatment.