When to Use Surgery & Radiation to the Breast
Headlines announcing the phase III clinical trial (ECOG-ACRIN 2108) results stated that radiation and surgery to the breast–also called locoregional therapy (LRT)– for people with de novo metastatic breast cancer did not increase survival. Yet, doctors still decide on a case-by-case basis when to use LRT because there are still questions about when LRT might increase survival
See below for links discussing the trial, remaining research questions, and other reasons someone might choose LRT.
- Loco-Regional Treatment for Intact Primary Tumor in Patient with De Novo Metastatic Breast Cancer; Comments and Concerns of ECOG-ACRIN 2108 Trial Researchers note that since survival rates for both groups were higher than expected at three years, a longer trial may be needed to evaluate LRT.
- Locoregional Therapy of the Primary Tumor in De Novo Stage IV Breast Cancer in 216066 Patients: A Meta-Analysis After reviewing journal articles on LRT and de novo MBC, these researchers give a thorough discussion of who may benefit from LRT and theories on why it may increase survival.
- Surgery for Metastatic Breast Cancer Fails to Boost Overall Survival Researchers are studying if LRT for people with a subset of de novo MBC–oligometastatic breast cancer–increases survival.
- When to Consider Local Therapy for Stage IV Breast Cancer A research overview that includes when to consider LRT for metastatic breast cancer.