Radiation Delay Associated with Worse Outcome for Women with Localized Breast Cancer

Two recent studies have focused on the importance of timely and complete adjuvant radiation therapy in women with localized breast cancer. Researchers from Canada reported in an early online publication in the Journal of Clinical Oncology on November 17, 2008 that delaying radiation beyond 20 weeks adversely affects outcome in women with early-stage breast cancer not receiving chemotherapy.[1] Researchers from Cornell Medical College reported that women with early-stage breast cancer receiving suboptimal radiotherapy had worse outcomes. The details of this study appeared in the December, 2008 issue of Cancer.[2]

Researchers from Columbia University have previously reported that delay of adjuvant radiation of more than three months following a lumpectomy may increase local recurrences and affect survival among women with early breast cancer. Thus, women who undergo lumpectomy are advised to have radiation within three months of surgery.

source: CancerConsultants