Breast Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Breast Cancer, including details on symptoms, genetics, screening, treatment, information. | ||||||||
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Identifying breast cancer patients most likely to benefit from aromatase inhibitor therapy after adjuvant radiation and tamoxifen.Freedman GM, Anderson P, Li T, Ross E, Swaby R, Goldstein L Department of Radiation Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Gary.Freedman@FCCC.edu BACKGROUND: The purpose of the current study was to examine patient selection for an aromatase inhibitor in breast cancer patients who were free from adverse events 5 years after treatment with tamoxifen. METHODS: In all, 471 women were treated with breast-conserving surgery, axillary lymph node dissection, and radiation. Eligibility included T1-2 disease, tamoxifen use, follow-up of >/=5 years, no prior breast cancer, and freedom from all events at 5 years of follow-up. Patients treated with chemotherapy more often had T2 disease and positive lymph nodes, and were aged <60 years compared with patients treated with tamoxifen alone. No patient during the period of the current study (1982-1999) received an aromatase inhibitor. The median follow-up was 8.25 years. RESULTS: There were 36 events: 10 contralateral breast cancers (CBCs) and 26 recurrences (8 local, 1 regional, and 17 distant). The 10-year risk of locoregional recurrence was 2.5%, the 10-year risk of CBC was 3.6%, and the 10-year risk of distant metastasis was 4.4%. The event-free survival rate for all patients was 93%. Only >/=4 positive lymph nodes and premenopausal status were found to be independent variables for decreased event-free survival on multivariate analysis. The overall survival rate was 89%. Only younger age and lower lymph node status were found to be significant predictors of improved overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: In the current study, a 40% reduction in recurrence/CBC with the addition of an aromatase inhibitor after 5 years of tamoxifen treatment would have had a marginal benefit of 1% to 2%. Women who were premenopausal and patients with >/=4 positive lymph nodes would have the greatest absolute benefit of >3% in the 10-year event-free survival rate from extended therapy. The decision needs to be individualized for patients aged >/=60 years based on their initial lymph node status and the presence of comorbidities that could lower their 5-year life expectancy. Published 27 November 2006 in Cancer, 107(11): 2552-8.
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