Targeted breast cancer treatment ‘just as effective’

THOUSANDS of women who undergo radiotherapy for breast cancer could be spared severe side effects after scientists found that targeted treatments or lower doses were just as effective.

The study, led by Cambridge University and the Institute of Cancer Research in London, found irradiating the tumour – rather than the whole breast – was just as good but came with fewer side effects.

A second approach – bathing the whole breast with radiation but using a lower dose, was also equally effective and also cut adverse effects. The less aggressive technique was shown to reduce permanent disfigurement of the breasts. The main side effect of radiotherapy is an overall change in breast appearance – and women report pain, hardening of tissue, sensitivity and a build-up of fluid. The scientists, presented their findings at the European Breast Cancer Conference in Barcelona, said each of these side effects were reduced with the targeted or low-dose approach.

The procedure is given after women have a tumour surgically removed, and is designed to eradicate all remaining cancer cells to ensure the cancer does not return.

The trial involved testing the lower dose and more targeted dose among 1,200 women at 41 UK hospitals, and then monitoring them for five years after treatment.

The researchers found no difference in rates of cancer recurrence with the less aggressive approaches – but the patients reported significantly lower side effects.

Some 2,600 women in Ireland are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.

The vast majority of these immediately undergo surgery to remove either the tumour or the entire breast. And most of those women then undergo three or four weeks of daily radiotherapy trips to make sure any remaining cancer cells do not spread. Researcher Dr Indrani Bhattacharya, a clinical research fellow at the Institute of Cancer Research in London, said: ‘The findings from this study are reassuring for women who are offered either whole breast or partial breast radiotherapy using this technique of radiotherapy.

‘This new information will help doctors discuss the risks and benefits of this type of radiotherapy with patients and may improve shared decision-making, as well as enabling them to tailor treatment for individual patients.’

Dr Bhattacharya said: ‘Now that we can identify these patients who are at higher risk of reporting side-effects, this knowledge can be discussed with patients, may modify treatment and enable doctors to put in place more personalised monitoring if necessary.’