Lumpectomy with and without radiation for early-stage breast cancer and DCIS
Marks, L.B.; Prosnitz, L.R.
Oncology 11(9): 1361-1368; 1371; Discussion 1372 1374
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0890-9091 PMID: 9306425 Document Number: 473550
Breast-conserving therapy with lumpectomy and breast irradiation is an accepted standard treatment for patients with early-stage invasive breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). For both diseases, investigators have tried to identify subgroups of patients who can be "safely" treated with lumpectomy without radiation. Some data suggest that it may be reasonable to omit radiation therapy in patients with small, low-grade invasive or noninvasive tumors and/or in "elderly" patients. Additional studies are needed to better identify criteria to prospectively select appropriate patients for treatment with lumpectomy alone.