In situ or localized breast cancer - how much treatment is needed?
Article Abstract:
Conservative treatment may be used to treat women with certain types of breast cancer. A research study found that a lumpectomy and radiation therapy was more effective than a lumpectomy alone in decreasing the risk of local recurrence of ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast. This study did not compare the effectiveness of this type of treatment to a mastectomy. Many of the women studied had very small tumors that were less than one centimeter in diameter. Treatment of women with extremely small tumors may differ from that of women with larger tumors. A longer follow-up period could also change the outcome of the study. Another study found that a quadrantectomy and radiation therapy were more slightly effective than a quadrantectomy alone in preventing a recurrence of localized breast cancer. Conservative treatments are less disfiguring than a mastectomy. This can help maintain the patient's sense of well being. The cosmetic results of a quadrantectomy are less appealing than those of a lumpectomy, since more tissue is removed and the breast shape is changed more.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1993
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A 43-Year-Old Woman Coping With Cancer
Article Abstract:
The case of a 43-year-old woman with metastatic breast cancer illustrates the importance of beliefs and spirituality. She had a modified radical mastectomy and chemotherapy but also uses mind-body techniques such as relaxation and qi gong. She also provides support to other breast cancer patients. Although a positive outlook can help patients deal with cancer, there is no evidence that positive thinking improves the prognosis. However, some studies have found that women who participated in group therapy sessions lived longer than those who did not.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1999
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