Some breast cancer patients who had undergone a pathologic complete response may not face a recurrence of the disease even after skipping surgery, revealed a recent study. Patients with early-stage cancer in their breasts undergoing PCR to neo-adjuvant chemo may have a minimal chance of cancer recurrence despite skipping surgery and being treated by standard radiation therapy. The researchers of The MD Anderson Cancer Center of the University of Texas confirmed it after conducting a study.
The Report Published in Lancet
Lancet Oncology recently published the results of the second phase of trials evaluating the chances of breast cancers recurring in patients who have undergone chemotherapy and radiation but skipped surgery. The trial involved thirty-one patients being observed after their complete chemotherapy and radiation treatment, but not a single case of recurrence was reported in 26.4 months.
What Researchers Said
Principal investigator Henry Kuerer said that it is the ultimate breast-conserving therapy that eliminates surgery, and he also added that this research further proves that newer drugs can eradicate cancer, at least in some cases. The evidence supporting this theory was growing, and the latest revelation after the MD Anderson Cancer Center study added to the evidence.
Though the result is very early, according to Henry, he still believes that it is an indication that some women suffering from breast cancer and diagnosed at an early stage are safe to eliminate surgery.
A Modern Trail
The trial appears to be the first ever modern perspective of its kind, which intends to evaluate the possibilities of recurrence of disease in early-stage breast cancer patients who responded to chemotherapy favourably.
Kerr has been working on it for a while, using a biopsy protocol developed by MD Anderson. But the recent study involves a state-of-the-art procedure called VACB or vacuum-assisted core biopsy.
