Radiation and Hormonal Therapy Increase Survival in Women with DCIS
1. Dr. Irene Wapnir has analyzed two studies involving the impact of adding radiation therapy, with or without tamoxifen, on survival rates of ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) or same side recurrence of the tumor.
2. In one study, 813 women received lumpectomy alone or lumpectomy plus irradiation.
3. In the second study, 1,802 women received lumpectomy plus irradiation or lumpectomy plus irradiation followed by tamoxifen.
A. Lumpectomy has been shown to be very effective in treating ductal carcinoma in situ (DICS)
B. Adding radiation therapy and adjuvant tamoxifen has been shown to improve survival and to reduce IBTR.
C. The results of the studies showed;
a. Radiation added to lumpectomy made a significantly reduced the risk of IBTR (results of first study)
b. Adding tamoxifen to lumpectomy plus irradiation further reduced the risk of IBTR (results of second study)
c. The development of IBTR doubled the risk of death.