Omission of Radiotherapy in Women >60 Years Old After Breast Conserving Surgery for Breast Cancer is Non-Inferior in Terms of Local Recurrence: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Objective: Local recurrence rate may show no significant differences between women aged 60 and older who receive breast-conserving surgery followed by radiotherapy and those in the same age group who undergo breast-conserving surgery without subsequent radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: Retrospective cohort study from a single practice with median follow-up time 44 months (interquartile range: 16, 82), comparing women older than 60 years old at diagnosis of breast cancer, treated with breast conserving surgery and either receiving or not receiving radiation therapy postoperatively. The primary endpoint was local recurrence difference between the two groups. Results: Local recurrence did not differ significantly between the two groups in terms of radiotherapy or not [odds ratio (OR) 0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.89–1.02, Fisher’s exact test p = 0.388], nor between two age groups with cut-off at 65 years of age (OR: 0.99, 95% CI 0.92–1.07, Fisher’s Exact test p = 0.6). Local recurrence also did not differ when subgroups of age (60–65 years and >66 years) were considered. All patients received 5 years of hormonal therapy. Conclusion: Omission of radiotherapy in selected patients is not inferior to radiotherapy after breast conserving surgery in terms of preventing local recurrence.

Keywords

• breast conserving surgery
• local recurrence
• radiotherapy omission