Breast Great Debates in Surgical Oncology - Does Breast-conserving Surgery with Radiotherapy offer Better Survival than Mastectomy in Early-stage Breast Cancer?
Con: All Women with Early Stage Breast Cancer can Choose Between BCT and Mastectomy
Professor of Surgery Washington University St. Louis Saint Louis, Missouri, United States
Disclosure(s):
Julie A. Margenthaler, MD: No financial relationships to disclose
RCTs demonstrating equivalent survival outcomes in patients with early breast cancer treated with breast-conserving surgery and radiotherapy (BCT) as compared with total mastectomy led to recommendations for breast conservation as the gold standard since the early 90s. Patients may however elect mastectomy based on personal preference. Recent observational retrospective studies with large patient samples suggest improved survival with BCT compared to mastectomy. An evidence-based debate is needed to understand if information discussed with patients should be updated to recommend BCT over mastectomy.
