Breast cancer treatment risk factors with special reference to experience in developing countries
Year: 2005
Type: article
Abstract: It is essential for physicians and surgeons who are involved in the treatment of breast cancer to develop a better appreciation of the problems encountered when radiation therapy is given. In this brief review special emphasis is placed on treatment toxicity and patient quality of life and on the assessment of treatment success. The aim of radiation therapy (RT) is local recurrence prevention. With the introduction of RT after breast conserving surgery the local recurrence rate fell from 25-40% to the current rates of 6-8%. In developing countries, such as Tunesia, the rate may be as high as 15% due to 60Co – teletherapy without the use of a treatment planning system as well as with the initial advanced stage of the disease in those countries. An important additional endpoint of treatment is the quality of life and long-term toxicity. Severe deterioration of RT toxicity is caused by intramammarian seromas and extended tissue defects, certain concomitant chemotherapy protocols and the deliberate use of parasternal lymph node irradiation. Age, however, does not influence the radiogenic toxicity. We conclude that apart from local control and five-year survival these additional endpoints, i.e. defining toxicity and quality of life, have to be accepted by all physicians involved in breast cancer treatment.
Source: Via Medica Journals
Authors: Jürgen Schultze, Besma Mbarek
Language: English
Subfield: Cancer Research
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2188917810