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<div class="pre-content"><div><div class="bk_prnt"><p class="small">NCBI Bookshelf. A service of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.</p><p>PDQ Cancer Information Summaries [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Cancer Institute (US); 2002-. </p></div><div class="iconblock clearfix whole_rhythm no_top_margin bk_noprnt"><a class="img_link icnblk_img" title="Table of Contents Page" href="/books/n/pdqcis/"><img class="source-thumb" src="/corehtml/pmc/pmcgifs/bookshelf/thumbs/th-pdqcis-lrg.png" alt="Cover of PDQ Cancer Information Summaries" height="100px" width="80px" /></a><div class="icnblk_cntnt eight_col"><h2>PDQ Cancer Information Summaries [Internet].</h2><a data-jig="ncbitoggler" href="#__NBK65744_dtls__">Show details</a><div style="display:none" class="ui-widget" id="__NBK65744_dtls__"><div>Bethesda (MD): <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/" ref="pagearea=page-banner&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=publisher">National Cancer Institute (US)</a>; 2002-.</div></div><div class="half_rhythm"></div><div class="bk_noprnt"><form method="get" action="/books/n/pdqcis/" id="bk_srch"><div class="bk_search"><label for="bk_term" class="offscreen_noflow">Search term</label><input type="text" title="Search this book" id="bk_term" name="term" value="" data-jig="ncbiclearbutton" /> <input type="submit" class="jig-ncbibutton" value="Search this book" submit="false" style="padding: 0.1em 0.4em;" /></div></form></div></div></div></div></div>
<div class="main-content lit-style" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/CreativeWork"><div class="meta-content fm-sec"><h1 id="_NBK65744_"><span class="title" itemprop="name">Breast Cancer Treatment (PDQ&#x000ae;)</span></h1><div class="subtitle whole_rhythm">Health Professional Version</div><p class="contrib-group"><span itemprop="author">PDQ Adult Treatment Editorial Board</span>.</p><p class="small">Published online: August 3, 2016.</p></div><div class="jig-ncbiinpagenav body-content whole_rhythm" data-jigconfig="allHeadingLevels: ['h2'],smoothScroll: false" itemprop="text"><div id="_abs_rndgid_" itemprop="description"><p id="CDR0000062787__1412">This PDQ cancer information summary for health professionals provides comprehensive, peer-reviewed, evidence-based information about the treatment of breast cancer. It is intended as a resource to inform and assist clinicians who care for cancer patients. It does not provide formal guidelines or recommendations for making health care decisions.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1413">This summary is reviewed regularly and updated as necessary by the PDQ Adult Treatment Editorial Board, which is editorially independent of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The summary reflects an independent review of the literature and does not represent a policy statement of NCI or the National Institutes of Health (NIH).</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1"><h2 id="_CDR0000062787__1_">General Information About Breast Cancer</h2><p id="CDR0000062787__651">This summary discusses primary epithelial breast cancers in women. The breast is rarely affected by other
tumors such as lymphomas, sarcomas, or melanomas. Refer to the following PDQ summaries for more information on these cancer types:</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__923"><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062675/">Adult Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062820/">Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma Treatment</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062917/">Melanoma Treatment</a></div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__924">Breast cancer also affects men and children and may occur during pregnancy, although it is rare in these populations. Refer to the following PDQ summaries for more information:</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__925"><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062745/">Male Breast Cancer
Treatment</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062770/">Breast Cancer Treatment and Pregnancy</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062872/#CDR0000062872__29">Unusual Cancers of Childhood Treatment</a></div></li></ul><div id="CDR0000062787__551"><h3>Incidence and Mortality</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__353">Estimated new cases and deaths from breast cancer (women only) in the United States in 2016:[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_1">1</a>]</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__354"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>New cases: 246,660.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Deaths: 40,450.</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__978">Breast cancer is the most common noncutaneous cancer in U.S. women, with an estimated 61,000 cases of <i>in situ</i> disease, 246,660 cases of invasive disease, and 40,450 deaths expected in 2016.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_1">1</a>] Thus, fewer than one of six women diagnosed with breast cancer die of the disease. By comparison, it is estimated that about 72,160 American women will die of lung cancer in 2016.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_1">1</a>] Men account for 1% of breast cancer cases and breast cancer deaths (refer to the <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062751/#CDR0000062751__123">Special Populations</a> section in the PDQ summary on <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062751/">Breast Cancer Screening</a> for more information).</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1089">Widespread adoption of screening increases breast cancer incidence in a given population and changes the characteristics of cancers detected, with increased incidence of lower-risk cancers, premalignant lesions, and ductal carcinoma <i>in situ</i> (DCIS). (Refer to the <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062751/#CDR0000062751__66">Ductal Carcinoma In Situ</a> section in the <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062751/#CDR0000062751__4">Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Pathology</a> section in the PDQ summary on <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062751/">Breast Cancer Screening</a> for more information.) Population studies from the United States [<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_2">2</a>] and the United Kingdom [<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_3">3</a>] demonstrate an increase in DCIS and invasive breast cancer incidence since the 1970s, attributable to the widespread adoption of both postmenopausal hormone therapy and screening mammography. In the last decade, women have refrained from using postmenopausal hormones, and breast cancer incidence has declined, but not to the levels seen before the widespread use of screening mammography.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_4">4</a>]</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__952"><h3>Anatomy</h3><a id="CDR0000062787__1113"></a><div class="iconblock whole_rhythm clearfix ten_col fig" id="figCDR0000062787968" co-legend-rid="figlgndCDR0000062787968"><a href="/books/NBK65744.8/figure/CDR0000062787__968/?report=objectonly" target="object" title="Figure" class="img_link icnblk_img figpopup" rid-figpopup="figCDR0000062787968" rid-ob="figobCDR0000062787968"><img class="small-thumb" src="/books/NBK65744.8/bin/CDR0000415520.gif" src-large="/books/NBK65744.8/bin/CDR0000415520.jpg" alt="Anatomy of the female breast" /></a><div class="icnblk_cntnt" id="figlgndCDR0000062787968"><h4 id="CDR0000062787__968"><a href="/books/NBK65744.8/figure/CDR0000062787__968/?report=objectonly" target="object" rid-ob="figobCDR0000062787968">Figure</a></h4><p class="float-caption no_bottom_margin">Anatomy of the female breast. The nipple and areola are shown on the outside of the breast. The lymph nodes, lobes, lobules, ducts, and other parts of the inside of the breast are also shown. </p></div></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__627"><h3>Risk and Protective Factors</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__926">Increasing age is the most important risk factor for breast cancer.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_2">2</a>] Other risk factors for breast cancer include the following:</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__927"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Family health history.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_5">5</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Major inheritance susceptibility.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_6">6</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_8">8</a>]<dl id="CDR0000062787__1087" class="temp-labeled-list"><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Germline mutation of the genes <i>BRCA1</i> and <i>BRCA2</i>, and other breast cancer susceptibility genes.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_9">9</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_13">13</a>]</p></dd></dl></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Alcohol intake.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_14">14</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Breast tissue density (mammographic).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_15">15</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_16">16</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Estrogen (endogenous):[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_17">17</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_20">20</a>]<dl id="CDR0000062787__928" class="temp-labeled-list"><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Menstrual history (early menarche/late menopause).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_21">21</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_23">23</a>]</p></dd><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Nulliparity.</p></dd><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Older age at first birth.</p></dd></dl></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Hormone therapy history:[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_24">24</a>]<dl id="CDR0000062787__929" class="temp-labeled-list"><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Combination estrogen plus progestin hormone replacement therapy (HRT).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_25">25</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_28">28</a>]</p></dd></dl></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Obesity.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_29">29</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_30">30</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Personal history of breast cancer.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_31">31</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Personal history of proliferative forms of benign breast disease.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_32">32</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_38">38</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Race.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_39">39</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_40">40</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Radiation exposure to the breast/chest.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_41">41</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_42">42</a>]</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__629">Age-specific risk estimates are available to help counsel and design
screening strategies for women with a family history of breast cancer.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_43">43</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_44">44</a>] </p><p id="CDR0000062787__931">Of all women with breast cancer, 5% to 10% may have a germline
mutation of the genes <i>BRCA1</i> and <i>BRCA2</i>.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_45">45</a>] Specific mutations of <i>BRCA1</i> and
<i>BRCA2</i> are more common in women of Jewish ancestry.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_46">46</a>] The estimated lifetime
risk of developing breast cancer for women with <i>BRCA1</i> and <i>BRCA2</i> mutations is
40% to 85%. Carriers with a history of breast cancer have an increased risk of
contralateral disease that may be as high as 5% per year.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_47">47</a>] Male <i>BRCA2</i> mutation carriers also have an increased risk of breast cancer.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_48">48</a>] </p><p id="CDR0000062787__980">Mutations in
either the <i>BRCA1</i> or the <i>BRCA2</i> gene also confer an increased risk of ovarian cancer [<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_48">48</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_49">49</a>] or other primary
cancers.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_48">48</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_49">49</a>] Once a <i>BRCA1</i> or <i>BRCA2</i> mutation has been identified, other family members can be referred for genetic counseling and testing.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_50">50</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_53">53</a>] (Refer to the PDQ summaries on <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062855/">Genetics of Breast and Gynecologic Cancers</a>; <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062779/"> Breast Cancer Prevention</a>; and <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062751/">Breast Cancer Screening</a> for more
information.)
</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1088">(Refer to the PDQ summary on <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062779/"> Breast Cancer Prevention</a> for more information about factors that increase the risk of breast cancer.)</p><p id="CDR0000062787__932">Protective factors and interventions to reduce the risk of female breast cancer include the following:</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__933"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Estrogen use (after hysterectomy).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_54">54</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_56">56</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Exercise.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_57">57</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_59">59</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Early pregnancy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_23">23</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_60">60</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_61">61</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Breast feeding.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_62">62</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_63">63</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Aromatase inhibitors or inactivators.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_64">64</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_65">65</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Risk-reducing mastectomy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_66">66</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Risk-reducing oophorectomy or ovarian ablation.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_67">67</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_70">70</a>]</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__934">(Refer to the PDQ summary on <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062779/"> Breast Cancer Prevention</a> for more information about factors that decrease the risk of breast cancer.)</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__631"><h3>Screening</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__632">Clinical trials have established that screening asymptomatic women using mammography, with or
without clinical breast examination, decreases breast cancer mortality.
(Refer to the PDQ summary on <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062751/"> Breast Cancer Screening</a> for more information.)</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__6"><h3>Diagnosis</h3><div id="CDR0000062787__935"><h4>Patient evaluation</h4><p id="CDR0000062787__936">When breast cancer is suspected, patient management generally
includes the following:
</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__937"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Confirmation of the diagnosis.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Evaluation of the stage of disease.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Selection of therapy.</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__984">The following tests and procedures are used to diagnose breast cancer:</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__985"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Mammography.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Ultrasound.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), if clinically indicated.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Biopsy.</div></li></ul></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1071"><h4>Contralateral disease</h4><p id="CDR0000062787__940">Pathologically, breast cancer can be a multicentric and bilateral disease.
Bilateral disease is somewhat more common in patients with infiltrating lobular
carcinoma. At 10 years after diagnosis, the risk of a primary breast cancer in the contralateral breast ranges from 3% to 10%, although endocrine therapy decreases that risk.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_71">71</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_73">73</a>] The development of a contralateral breast cancer is associated with
an increased risk of distant recurrence.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_74">74</a>] When <i>BRCA1</i>/<i>BRCA2</i> mutation carriers were diagnosed before age 40 years, the risk of a contralateral breast cancer reached nearly 50% in the ensuing 25 years.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_75">75</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_76">76</a>]</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1072">Patients who have breast cancer will undergo bilateral
mammography at the time of diagnosis to rule out synchronous disease. To
detect either recurrence in the ipsilateral breast in patients treated
with breast-conserving surgery or a second primary cancer in the contralateral
breast, patients
will continue to have regular breast physical examinations and mammograms. </p><p id="CDR0000062787__942">The role of MRI in screening the contralateral breast and monitoring women treated with breast-conserving therapy continues to evolve. Because an increased detection rate of mammographically occult disease has been demonstrated, the selective use of MRI for additional screening is occurring more frequently despite the absence of randomized, controlled data. Because only 25% of MRI-positive findings represent malignancy, pathologic confirmation before treatment is recommended. Whether this increased detection rate will translate into improved treatment outcome is unknown.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_77">77</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_79">79</a>]
</p></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1678"><h3>Prognostic and Predictive Factors</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__1679">Breast cancer is commonly treated by various combinations of surgery, radiation
therapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy. Prognosis and selection of therapy
may be influenced by the following clinical and pathology features (based on conventional histology and immunohistochemistry):[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_80">80</a>]</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1680"><li class="half_rhythm"><div> Menopausal status of the patient.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Stage of the
disease.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Grade of the primary tumor.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status of the tumor.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Human epidermal growth factor type 2 receptor (HER2/neu) overexpression and/or amplification.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Histologic type. Breast
cancer is classified into a variety of histologic types, some of which have
prognostic importance. Favorable histologic types include
mucinous, medullary, and tubular carcinomas.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_81">81</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_83">83</a>]</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__1681">The use of molecular profiling in breast cancer includes the following:[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_84">84</a>]</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1682"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>ER and PR status testing.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>HER2/neu receptor status testing.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Gene profile testing by microarray assay or reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (e.g., MammaPrint, Oncotype DX).</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__1683">On the basis of ER, PR, and HER2/neu results, breast cancer is classified as one of the following types:</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1684"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Hormone-receptor positive.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>HER2/neu positive.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Triple negative (ER, PR, and HER2/neu negative).</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__1685">ER, PR, and HER2 status are important in determining prognosis and in predicting response to endocrine and HER2-directed therapy. The American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists consensus panel has published guidelines to help standardize the performance, interpretation, and reporting of assays used to assess the ER/PR status by immunohistochemistry and HER2 status by immunohistochemistry and <i>in situ</i> hybridization.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_85">85</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_86">86</a>]</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1686">Gene profile tests include the following:</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1687"><li class="half_rhythm"><div><b>MammaPrint:</b> The first gene profile test to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was the MammaPrint gene signature. Its prognostic utility primarily targets adjuvant therapy&#x02212;decision making in women aged 61 years and younger with stage I/II lymph node&#x02013;negative breast cancer 5 cm or smaller.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_87">87</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_91">91</a>] The <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=NCT00433589" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">MINDACT</a> trial (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00433589" title="Study NCT00433589" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00433589</a>) will help determine if the assay should be used to decide whether adjuvant chemotherapy may benefit a patient.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><b>Oncotype DX:</b> The Oncotype DX 21 gene assay is the gene profile test with the most extensive clinical validation thus far, albeit in a prospective&#x02013;retrospective fashion. A 21-gene recurrence score (RS) is generated based on the level of expression of each of the 21 genes:<dl id="CDR0000062787__1688" class="temp-labeled-list"><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">RS &#x0003c;18: low risk.</p></dd><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">RS &#x02265;18 and &#x0003c;31: intermediate-risk.</p></dd><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">RS &#x02265;31: high risk.</p></dd></dl>
</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__1689">The following trials describe the prognostic and predictive value of multigene assays:</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1690"><li class="half_rhythm"><div class="half_rhythm">The prognostic ability of the Oncotype DX 21-gene assay was assessed in two randomized trials.<ul id="CDR0000062787__1691"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=NSABP+B-14" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">NSABP B-14</a> trial randomly assigned patients to tamoxifen or placebo; the results favoring tamoxifen changed clinical practice in the late 1980s.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_92">92</a>] Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue was available for 668 patients. The 10-year distant recurrence risk for patients treated with tamoxifen was 7% for those with a low RS, 14% for those with an intermediate RS, and 31% for those with high RS (<i>P</i> &#x0003c; .001).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_93">93</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>A community-based, case-control study examined the prognostic ability of the RS to predict breast cancer deaths after 10 years in a group of tamoxifen-treated patients and observed a similar prognostic pattern to that seen in patients from NSABP B-14.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_94">94</a>]</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div class="half_rhythm">Prediction of benefit from chemotherapy in patients with node-negative ER-positive breast cancer was assessed by the tamoxifen alone (n = 227) and the combination arms (n = 424) of the <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=NSABP+B-20" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">NSABP B-20</a> trial.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_92">92</a>] Patients in the NSABP B-20 trial were randomly assigned to receive tamoxifen alone or tamoxifen concurrently with methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil (MF) or cyclophosphamide with MF (CMF).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_95">95</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1692"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The 10-year distant disease-free survival (DFS) improved from 60% to 88% by adding chemotherapy to tamoxifen in the high-risk group, while no benefit was observed in the low RS group.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_96">96</a>]</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div class="half_rhythm">Similar findings were reported in the prospective-retrospective evaluation of Southwestern Oncology Group trial <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=NCT00897091" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">S8814</a> in lymph node-positive patients treated with tamoxifen with or without cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and fluorouracil (CAF).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_97">97</a>] However, the sample size in this analysis was small, follow-up was only 5 years, and the prognostic impact of having positive nodes needs to be taken into consideration.<ul id="CDR0000062787__1693"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Of note, both analyses (NSABP B-20 and S8814) were underpowered for any conclusive predictive analysis among patients identified as having an intermediate RS.</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div class="half_rhythm">Results from the <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=NCT00310180" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">TAILORX</a> trial (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00310180" title="Study NCT00310180" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00310180</a>) may help provide recommendations for those with ER/PR-positive and node-negative disease with an intermediate RS. In this study, a low-risk score was defined as less than 11, intermediate score was 11 to 25, and high-risk score was greater than 25. These cut points differ from those described above.</div><div class="half_rhythm">Patients in this study with a low-risk score were found to have very low rates of recurrence at 5 years with endocrine therapy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1_98">98</a>] Primary endpoint results from this study are awaited.<ul id="CDR0000062787__1695"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Rate of invasive DFS was 93.8%.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Rate of freedom from recurrence of breast cancer at a distant site was 99.3%.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Rate of freedom from recurrence of breast cancer at a distant or local-regional site was 98.7%.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Rate of overall survival was 98.0%.</div></li></ul></div></li></ol><p id="CDR0000062787__1696">Results from the <a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=692475" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">RxPONDER</a> trial (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01272037" title="Study NCT01272037" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT01272037</a>) will help to determine if there is a benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with ER-positive, node-positive early breast cancer treated with endocrine therapy, and a RS below 25.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1697">Many other gene-based assays may guide treatment decisions in patients with early breast cancer (e.g., Predictor Analysis of Microarray 50 [PAM50] Risk of Recurrence [ROR] score, EndoPredict, Breast Cancer Index).</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1698">Although certain rare inherited mutations,
such as those of <i>BRCA1</i> and <i>BRCA2,</i> predispose women to develop breast cancer, prognostic
data on <i>BRCA1</i>/<i>BRCA2</i> mutation carriers who have developed breast cancer are conflicting. These women are at greater risk of developing contralateral breast cancer.
(Refer to the <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062855/#CDR0000062855__2057">Prognosis of BRCA1- and BRCA2-related breast cancer</a> section of the PDQ <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062855/">Genetics of Breast and Gynecologic Cancers</a> summary for more information.)</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1069"><h3>Posttherapy Considerations</h3><div id="CDR0000062787__10"><h4>Hormone replacement therapy</h4><p id="CDR0000062787__988">After careful consideration, patients with severe symptoms may be treated with hormone replacement therapy. For more information, refer to the following PDQ summaries:</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__989"><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062779/">Breast Cancer Prevention</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062742/">Hot Flashes and Night Sweats</a></div></li></ul></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__785"><h3>Related Summaries</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__786">Other PDQ summaries containing information related to breast cancer include the following:</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__787"><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062779/">Breast Cancer Prevention</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062751/">Breast Cancer Screening</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062770/">Breast Cancer Treatment and Pregnancy</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062855/">Genetics of Breast and Gynecologic Cancers</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062745/">Male Breast Cancer
Treatment</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062872/#CDR0000062872__29">Unusual Cancers of Childhood Treatment</a> (breast cancer in children)</div></li></ul></div><div id="CDR0000062787_rl_1"><h3>References</h3><ol><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1_1">American Cancer Society: Cancer Facts and Figures 2016. Atlanta, Ga: American Cancer Society, 2016. <a href="http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@research/documents/document/acspc-047079.pdf" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">Available online.</a> Last accessed July 11, 2016.</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1_2">Altekruse SF, Kosary CL, Krapcho M, et al.: SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2007. 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[<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16954471" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 16954471</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1_88">Wittner BS, Sgroi DC, Ryan PD, et al.: Analysis of the MammaPrint breast cancer assay in a predominantly postmenopausal cohort. Clin Cancer Res 14 (10): 2988-93, 2008. [<a href="/pmc/articles/PMC3089800/" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pmc">PMC free article<span class="bk_prnt">: PMC3089800</span></a>] [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18483364" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 18483364</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1_89">Mook S, Knauer M, Bueno-de-Mesquita JM, et al.: Metastatic potential of T1 breast cancer can be predicted by the 70-gene MammaPrint signature. Ann Surg Oncol 17 (5): 1406-13, 2010. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20094918" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 20094918</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1_90">Ishitobi M, Goranova TE, Komoike Y, et al.: Clinical utility of the 70-gene MammaPrint profile in a Japanese population. Jpn J Clin Oncol 40 (6): 508-12, 2010. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20110242" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 20110242</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1_91">Knauer M, Mook S, Rutgers EJ, et al.: The predictive value of the 70-gene signature for adjuvant chemotherapy in early breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 120 (3): 655-61, 2010. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20204499" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 20204499</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1_92">Fisher B, Jeong JH, Bryant J, et al.: Treatment of lymph-node-negative, oestrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer: long-term findings from National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project randomised clinical trials. Lancet 364 (9437): 858-68, 2004. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15351193" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 15351193</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1_93">Paik S, Shak S, Tang G, et al.: A multigene assay to predict recurrence of tamoxifen-treated, node-negative breast cancer. N Engl J Med 351 (27): 2817-26, 2004. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15591335" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 15591335</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1_94">Habel LA, Shak S, Jacobs MK, et al.: A population-based study of tumor gene expression and risk of breast cancer death among lymph node-negative patients. Breast Cancer Res 8 (3): R25, 2006. [<a href="/pmc/articles/PMC1557737/" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pmc">PMC free article<span class="bk_prnt">: PMC1557737</span></a>] [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16737553" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 16737553</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1_95">Mamounas EP, Tang G, Fisher B, et al.: Association between the 21-gene recurrence score assay and risk of locoregional recurrence in node-negative, estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer: results from NSABP B-14 and NSABP B-20. J Clin Oncol 28 (10): 1677-83, 2010. [<a href="/pmc/articles/PMC2849763/" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pmc">PMC free article<span class="bk_prnt">: PMC2849763</span></a>] [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20065188" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 20065188</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1_96">Paik S, Tang G, Shak S, et al.: Gene expression and benefit of chemotherapy in women with node-negative, estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. J Clin Oncol 24 (23): 3726-34, 2006. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16720680" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 16720680</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1_97">Albain KS, Barlow WE, Shak S, et al.: Prognostic and predictive value of the 21-gene recurrence score assay in postmenopausal women with node-positive, oestrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer on chemotherapy: a retrospective analysis of a randomised trial. Lancet Oncol 11 (1): 55-65, 2010. [<a href="/pmc/articles/PMC3058239/" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pmc">PMC free article<span class="bk_prnt">: PMC3058239</span></a>] [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20005174" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 20005174</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1_98">Sparano JA, Gray RJ, Makower DF, et al.: Prospective Validation of a 21-Gene Expression Assay in Breast Cancer. N Engl J Med 373 (21): 2005-14, 2015. [<a href="/pmc/articles/PMC4701034/" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pmc">PMC free article<span class="bk_prnt">: PMC4701034</span></a>] [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26412349" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 26412349</span></a>]</div></li></ol></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__18"><h2 id="_CDR0000062787__18_">Histopathologic Classification of Breast Cancer</h2><p id="CDR0000062787__19"><a class="figpopup" href="/books/NBK65744.8/table/CDR0000062787__977/?report=objectonly" target="object" rid-figpopup="figCDR0000062787977" rid-ob="figobCDR0000062787977">Table 1</a> describes the histologic classification of breast cancer based on tumor location.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_18_1">1</a>]
Infiltrating or invasive ductal cancer is the most common breast cancer
histologic type and comprises 70% to 80% of all cases.
</p><div id="CDR0000062787__977" class="table"><h3><span class="title">Table 1. Tumor Location and Related Histologic Subtype</span></h3><p class="large-table-link" style="display:none"><span class="right"><a href="/books/NBK65744.8/table/CDR0000062787__977/?report=objectonly" target="object">View in own window</a></span></p><div class="large_tbl" id="__CDR0000062787__977_lrgtbl__"><table class="no_margin"><thead><tr><th colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Tumor Location </th><th colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Histologic Subtype</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Carcinoma, NOS</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="11" style="vertical-align:top;">Ductal</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Intraductal (<i>in situ</i>)
</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Invasive with predominant component
</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Invasive, NOS
</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Comedo</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Inflammatory
</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Medullary with lymphocytic infiltrate
</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Mucinous (colloid)
</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Papillary
</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Scirrhous
</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Tubular
</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Other
</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;">Lobular</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Invasive with predominant <i>in situ</i> component</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Invasive [<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_18_2">2</a>]
</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="3" style="vertical-align:top;">Nipple</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Paget disease, NOS</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Paget disease with intraductal carcinoma</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Paget disease with invasive ductal carcinoma
</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;">Other </td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Undifferentiated carcinoma</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metaplastic</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div><dl class="temp-labeled-list small"><dt></dt><dd><div><p class="no_margin">NOS = not otherwise specified.</p></div></dd></dl></div></div></div><p id="CDR0000062787__25">The following tumor subtypes occur in the breast but are not
considered typical breast cancers:
</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__26"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Phyllodes tumor.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_18_3">3</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_18_4">4</a>]
</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Angiosarcoma.
</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Primary lymphoma.
</div></li></ul><div id="CDR0000062787_rl_18"><h3>References</h3><ol><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_18_1">Breast. In: Edge SB, Byrd DR, Compton CC, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 7th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2010, pp 347-76.</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_18_2">Yeatman TJ, Cantor AB, Smith TJ, et al.: Tumor biology of infiltrating lobular carcinoma. Implications for management. Ann Surg 222 (4): 549-59; discussion 559-61, 1995. [<a href="/pmc/articles/PMC1234890/" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pmc">PMC free article<span class="bk_prnt">: PMC1234890</span></a>] [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7574934" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 7574934</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_18_3">Chaney AW, Pollack A, McNeese MD, et al.: Primary treatment of cystosarcoma phyllodes of the breast. Cancer 89 (7): 1502-11, 2000. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11013364" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 11013364</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_18_4">Carter BA, Page DL: Phyllodes tumor of the breast: local recurrence versus metastatic capacity. Hum Pathol 35 (9): 1051-2, 2004. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15343504" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 15343504</span></a>]</div></li></ol></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__27"><h2 id="_CDR0000062787__27_">Stage Information for Breast Cancer</h2><p id="CDR0000062787__28">The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system provides a
strategy for grouping patients with respect to prognosis. Therapeutic
decisions are formulated in part according to staging categories but primarily
according to the following:
</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__954"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Tumor size.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Lymph node status.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Estrogen-receptor and progesterone-receptor
levels in the tumor tissue.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu) status.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Menopausal status.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>General health of the
patient.</div></li></ul><div id="CDR0000062787__695"><h3>Definitions of TNM and AJCC Stage Groupings</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__708">The AJCC has designated staging by tumor, node, and metastasis (TNM) classification to define breast cancer.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_27_1">1</a>] When this system was modified in 2002, some nodal categories that were previously considered stage II were reclassified as stage III.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_27_2">2</a>] As a result of the stage migration phenomenon, survival by stage for case series classified by the new system will appear superior to those using the old system.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_27_3">3</a>]</p><div id="CDR0000062787__678" class="table"><h3><span class="title">Table 2. Primary Tumor (T)<sup>a,</sup><sup>b</sup></span></h3><p class="large-table-link" style="display:none"><span class="right"><a href="/books/NBK65744.8/table/CDR0000062787__678/?report=objectonly" target="object">View in own window</a></span></p><div class="large_tbl" id="__CDR0000062787__678_lrgtbl__"><table class="no_margin"><tbody><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">TX</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Primary tumor cannot be assessed.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">T0</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">No evidence of primary tumor.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Tis</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Carcinoma <i>in situ</i>.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Tis (DCIS)</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">DCIS.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Tis (LCIS)</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">LCIS.*</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Tis (Paget)</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Paget disease of the nipple NOT associated with invasive carcinoma and/or carcinoma <i>in situ</i> (DCIS and/or LCIS) in the underlying breast parenchyma. Carcinomas in the breast parenchyma associated with Paget disease are categorized based on the size and characteristics of the parenchymal disease, although the presence of Paget disease should still be noted.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">T1</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Tumor &#x02264;20 mm in greatest dimension.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">T1mi</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Tumor &#x02264;1 mm in greatest dimension.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">T1a</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Tumor &#x0003e;1 mm but &#x02264;5 mm in greatest dimension.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">T1b</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Tumor &#x0003e;5 mm but &#x02264;10 mm in greatest dimension.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">T1c</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Tumor &#x0003e;10 mm but &#x02264;20 mm in greatest dimension.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">T2</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Tumor &#x0003e;20 mm but &#x02264;50 mm in greatest dimension.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">T3</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Tumor &#x0003e;50 mm in greatest dimension.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">T4</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Tumor of any size with direct extension to the chest wall and/or to the skin (ulceration or skin nodules).<sup>c</sup></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">T4a</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Extension to the chest wall, not including only pectoralis muscle adherence/invasion.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">T4b</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Ulceration and/or ipsilateral satellite nodules and/or edema (including peau d'orange) of the skin, which do not meet the criteria for inflammatory carcinoma.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">T4c</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Both T4a and T4b.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">T4d</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Inflammatory carcinoma. </td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div><dl class="temp-labeled-list small"><dt></dt><dd><div><p class="no_margin">DCIS = ductal carcinoma <i>in situ</i>; LCIS = lobular carcinoma <i>in situ</i>. </p></div></dd><dt></dt><dd><div><p class="no_margin">*Information about LCIS is not included in this summary.</p></div></dd><dt></dt><dd><div><p class="no_margin"><sup>a</sup>Reprinted with permission from AJCC: Breast. In: Edge SB, Byrd DR, Compton CC, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 7th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2010, pp 347-76.</p></div></dd><dt></dt><dd><div><p class="no_margin"><sup>b</sup>The T classification of the primary tumor is the same regardless of whether it is based on clinical or pathologic criteria, or both. Size should be measured to the nearest millimeter. If the tumor size is slightly less than or greater than a cutoff for a given T classification, it is recommended that the size be rounded to the millimeter reading that is closest to the cutoff. For example, a reported size of 1.1 mm is reported as 1 mm, or a size of 2.01 cm is reported as 2.0 cm. Designation should be made with the subscript "c" or "p" modifier to indicate whether the T classification was determined by clinical (physical examination or radiologic) or pathologic measurements, respectively. In general, pathologic determination should take precedence over clinical determination of T size.</p></div></dd><dt></dt><dd><div><p class="no_margin"><sup>c</sup>Invasion of the dermis alone does not qualify as T4.</p></div></dd></dl></div></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__679" class="table"><h3><span class="title">Table 3. Regional Lymph Nodes (N)<sup>a</sup></span></h3><p class="large-table-link" style="display:none"><span class="right"><a href="/books/NBK65744.8/table/CDR0000062787__679/?report=objectonly" target="object">View in own window</a></span></p><div class="large_tbl" id="__CDR0000062787__679_lrgtbl__"><table class="no_margin"><thead><tr><th colspan="2" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;"><i>Clinical</i></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">NX</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed (e.g., previously removed).</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">N0</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">No regional lymph node metastases.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">N1</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metastases to movable ipsilateral level I, II axillary lymph node(s).</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="3" style="vertical-align:top;">N2</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metastases in ipsilateral level I, II axillary lymph nodes that are clinically fixed or matted. </td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">OR</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metastases in clinically detected<sup>b</sup> ipsilateral internal mammary nodes in the <i>absence</i> of clinically evident axillary lymph node metastases.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">N2a</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metastases in ipsilateral level I, II axillary lymph nodes fixed to one another (matted) or to other structures.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">N2b</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metastases only in clinically detected<sup>b</sup> ipsilateral internal mammary nodes and in the <i>absence</i> of clinically evident level I, II axillary lymph node metastases.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="5" style="vertical-align:top;">N3</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metastases in ipsilateral infraclavicular (level III axillary) lymph node(s) with or without level I, II axillary lymph node involvement. </td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">OR</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metastases in clinically detected<sup>b</sup> ipsilateral internal mammary lymph node(s) with clinically evident level I, II axillary lymph node metastases.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">OR</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metastases in ipsilateral supraclavicular lymph node(s) with or without axillary or internal mammary lymph node involvement.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">N3a</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metastases in ipsilateral infraclavicular lymph node(s).</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">N3b </td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metastases in ipsilateral internal mammary lymph node(s) and axillary lymph node(s).</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">N3c</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metastases in ipsilateral supraclavicular lymph node(s).</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div><dl class="temp-labeled-list small"><dt></dt><dd><div><p class="no_margin"><sup>a</sup>Reprinted with permission from AJCC: Breast. In: Edge SB, Byrd DR, Compton CC, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 7th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2010, pp 347-76.</p></div></dd><dt></dt><dd><div><p class="no_margin"><sup>b</sup><i>Clinically detected</i> is defined as detected by imaging studies (excluding lymphoscintigraphy) or by clinical examination and having characteristics highly suspicious for malignancy or a presumed pathologic macrometastasis based on fine-needle aspiration biopsy with cytologic examination. Confirmation of clinically detected metastatic disease by fine-needle aspiration without excision biopsy is designated with an (f) suffix, for example, cN3a(f). Excisional biopsy of a lymph node or biopsy of a sentinel node, in the absence of assignment of a pT, is classified as a clinical N, for example, cN1. Information regarding the confirmation of the nodal status will be designated in site-specific factors as clinical, fine-needle aspiration, core biopsy, or sentinel lymph node biopsy. Pathologic classification (pN) is used for excision or sentinel lymph node biopsy only in conjunction with a pathologic T assignment.</p></div></dd></dl></div></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__692" class="table"><h3><span class="title">Table 4. Pathologic (pN)<sup>a,</sup><sup>b</sup></span></h3><p class="large-table-link" style="display:none"><span class="right"><a href="/books/NBK65744.8/table/CDR0000062787__692/?report=objectonly" target="object">View in own window</a></span></p><div class="large_tbl" id="__CDR0000062787__692_lrgtbl__"><table class="no_margin"><tbody><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">pNX</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed (e.g., previously removed or not removed for pathologic study).</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">pN0</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">No regional lymph node metastasis identified histologically.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;"><i>Note</i>: ITCs are defined as small clusters of cells &#x02264;0.2 mm, or single tumor cells, or a cluster of &#x0003c;200 cells in a single histologic cross-section. ITCs may be detected by routine histology or by IHC methods. Nodes containing only ITCs are excluded from the total positive node count for purposes of N classification but should be included in the total number of nodes evaluated.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">pN0(i&#x02013;)</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">No regional lymph node metastases histologically, negative IHC.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">pN0(i+)</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Malignant cells in regional lymph node(s) &#x02264;0.2 mm (detected by H&#x00026;E or IHC including ITC).</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">pN0(mol&#x02013;)</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">No regional lymph node metastases histologically, negative molecular findings (RT-PCR).</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">pN0(mol+)</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Positive molecular findings (RT-PCR), but no regional lymph node metastases detected by histology or IHC.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="5" style="vertical-align:top;">pN1</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Micrometastases.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">OR</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metastases in 1&#x02013;3 axillary lymph nodes.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">AND/OR</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metastases in internal mammary nodes with metastases detected by sentinel lymph node biopsy but not clinically detected.<sup>c</sup></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">pN1mi</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Micrometastases (&#x0003e;0.2 mm and/or &#x0003e;200 cells but none &#x0003e;2.0 mm).</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">pN1a</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metastases in 1&#x02013;3 axillary lymph nodes, at least one metastasis &#x0003e;2.0 mm.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">pN1b</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metastases in internal mammary nodes with micrometastases or macrometastases detected by sentinel lymph node biopsy but not clinically detected.<sup>c</sup></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">pN1c</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metastases in 1&#x02013;3 axillary lymph nodes and in internal mammary lymph nodes with micrometastases or macrometastases detected by sentinel lymph node biopsy but not clinically detected.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="3" style="vertical-align:top;">pN2</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metastases in 4&#x02013;9 axillary lymph nodes.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">OR</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metastases in clinically detected<sup>d</sup> internal mammary lymph nodes in the <i>absence</i> of axillary lymph node metastases.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">pN2a</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metastases in 4&#x02013;9 axillary lymph nodes (at least 1 tumor deposit &#x0003e;2 mm).</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">pN2b</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metastases in clinically detected<sup>d</sup> internal mammary lymph nodes in the <i>absence</i> of axillary lymph node metastases.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="9" style="vertical-align:top;">pN3</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metastases in &#x02265;10 axillary lymph nodes.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">OR</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metastases in infraclavicular (level III axillary) lymph nodes. </td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">OR</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metastases in clinically detected<sup>c</sup> ipsilateral internal mammary lymph nodes in the <i>presence</i> of one or more positive level I, II axillary lymph nodes. </td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">OR</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metastases in &#x0003e;3 axillary lymph nodes and in internal mammary lymph nodes with micrometastases or macrometastases detected by sentinel lymph node biopsy but not clinically detected.<sup>c</sup>
</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">OR</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metastases in ipsilateral supraclavicular lymph nodes.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="3" style="vertical-align:top;">pN3a</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metastases in &#x02265;10 axillary lymph nodes (at least 1 tumor deposit &#x0003e;2.0 mm).</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">OR</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metastases to the infraclavicular (level III axillary lymph) nodes.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="3" style="vertical-align:top;">pN3b</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metastases in clinically detected<sup>d</sup> ipsilateral internal mammary lymph nodes in the <i>presence</i> of one or more positive axillary lymph nodes.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">OR</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metastases in &#x0003e;3 axillary lymph nodes and in internal mammary lymph nodes with micrometastases or macrometastases detected by sentinel lymph node biopsy but not clinically detected.<sup>c</sup></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">pN3c</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Metastases in ipsilateral supraclavicular lymph nodes.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;"><i><b>Posttreatment ypN</b></i></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;"> &#x02013;Posttreatment yp "N" should be evaluated as for clinical (pretreatment) "N" methods above. The modifier "SN" is used only if a sentinel node evaluation was performed after treatment. If no subscript is attached, it is assumed that the axillary nodal evaluation was by AND.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">&#x02013;The X classification will be used (ypNX) if no yp posttreatment SN or AND was performed.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">&#x02013;N categories are the same as those used for pN.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div><dl class="temp-labeled-list small"><dt></dt><dd><div><p class="no_margin">AND = axillary node dissection; H&#x00026;E = hematoxylin and eosin stain; IHC = immunohistochemical; ITC = isolated tumor cells; RT-PCR = reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction.</p></div></dd><dt></dt><dd><div><p class="no_margin"><sup>a</sup>Reprinted with permission from AJCC: Breast. In: Edge SB, Byrd DR, Compton CC, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 7th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2010, pp 347-76.</p></div></dd><dt></dt><dd><div><p class="no_margin"><sup>b</sup>Classification is based on axillary lymph node dissection with or without sentinel lymph node biopsy. Classification based solely on sentinel lymph node biopsy without subsequent axillary lymph node dissection is designated (SN) for "sentinel node," for example, pN0(SN).</p></div></dd><dt></dt><dd><div><p class="no_margin"><sup>c</sup>"Not clinically detected" is defined as not detected by imaging studies (excluding lymphoscintigraphy) or not detected by clinical examination.</p></div></dd><dt></dt><dd><div><p class="no_margin"><sup>d</sup>"Clinically detected" is defined as detected by imaging studies (excluding lymphoscintigraphy) or by clinical examination and having characteristics highly suspicious for malignancy or a presumed pathologic macrometastasis based on fine-needle aspiration biopsy with cytologic examination.</p></div></dd></dl></div></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__680" class="table"><h3><span class="title">Table 5. Distant Metastases (M)<sup>a</sup></span></h3><p class="large-table-link" style="display:none"><span class="right"><a href="/books/NBK65744.8/table/CDR0000062787__680/?report=objectonly" target="object">View in own window</a></span></p><div class="large_tbl" id="__CDR0000062787__680_lrgtbl__"><table class="no_margin"><tbody><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">M0</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">No clinical or radiographic evidence of distant metastases.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">cM0(i+)</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">No clinical or radiographic evidence of distant metastases, but deposits of molecularly or microscopically detected tumor cells in circulating blood, bone marrow, or other nonregional nodal tissue that are &#x02264;0.2 mm in a patient without symptoms or signs of metastases.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">M1</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Distant detectable metastases as determined by classic clinical and radiographic means and/or histologically proven &#x0003e;0.2 mm.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div><dl class="temp-labeled-list small"><dt></dt><dd><div><p class="no_margin"><sup>a</sup>Reprinted with permission from AJCC: Breast. In: Edge SB, Byrd DR, Compton CC, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 7th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2010, pp 347-76.</p></div></dd></dl></div></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__681" class="table"><h3><span class="title">Table 6. Anatomic Stage/Prognostic Groups<sup>a,</sup><sup>b</sup></span></h3><p class="large-table-link" style="display:none"><span class="right"><a href="/books/NBK65744.8/table/CDR0000062787__681/?report=objectonly" target="object">View in own window</a></span></p><div class="large_tbl" id="__CDR0000062787__681_lrgtbl__"><table class="no_margin"><thead><tr><th colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;vertical-align:top;">Stage</th><th colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;vertical-align:top;">T</th><th colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;vertical-align:top;">N</th><th colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;vertical-align:top;">M</th><th colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;vertical-align:top;">Illustration </th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;"> 0</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Tis</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">N0</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">M0</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;"> IA</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">T1<sup>b</sup></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">N0</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">M0</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="3" style="vertical-align:top;"><div class="graphic"><a href="/core/lw/2.0/html/tileshop_pmc/tileshop_pmc_inline.html?title=Image%20CDR0000732256&amp;p=BOOKS&amp;id=379190_CDR0000732256.jpg" target="tileshopwindow" class="inline_block pmc_inline_block ts_canvas img_link" title="Click on image to zoom"><div class="ts_bar small" title="Click on image to zoom"></div><img src="/books/NBK65744.8/bin/CDR0000732256.jpg" alt="Stage I breast cancer. Drawing shows stage IA on the left; the tumor is 2 cm or smaller and has not spread outside the breast. Drawings in the middle and on the right show stage IB. In the drawing in the middle, no tumor is found in the breast, but small clusters of cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes. In the drawing on the right, the tumor is 2 cm or smaller and small clusters of cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes." class="tileshop" title="Click on image to zoom" /></a></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;"> IB</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">T0</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">N1mi</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">M0</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;"></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">T1<sup>b</sup></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">N1mi</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">M0</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;"> IIA</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">T0</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">N1<sup>c</sup></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">M0</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="3" style="vertical-align:top;"><div class="graphic"><a href="/core/lw/2.0/html/tileshop_pmc/tileshop_pmc_inline.html?title=Image%20CDR0000732257&amp;p=BOOKS&amp;id=379190_CDR0000732257.jpg" target="tileshopwindow" class="inline_block pmc_inline_block ts_canvas img_link" title="Click on image to zoom"><div class="ts_bar small" title="Click on image to zoom"></div><img src="/books/NBK65744.8/bin/CDR0000732257.jpg" alt="Stage IIA breast cancer. Drawing on the left shows no tumor in the breast, but cancer is found in 3 axillary lymph nodes. Drawing in the middle shows the tumor size is 2 cm or smaller and cancer is found in 3 axillary lymph nodes. Drawing on the right shows the tumor is larger than 2 cm but not larger than 5 cm and has not spread to the lymph nodes." class="tileshop" title="Click on image to zoom" /></a></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;"></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">T1<sup>b</sup></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">N1<sup>c</sup></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">M0</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;"></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">T2</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">N0</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">M0</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;"> IIB</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">T2</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">N1</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">M0</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;"><div class="graphic"><a href="/core/lw/2.0/html/tileshop_pmc/tileshop_pmc_inline.html?title=Image%20CDR0000732258&amp;p=BOOKS&amp;id=379190_CDR0000732258.jpg" target="tileshopwindow" class="inline_block pmc_inline_block ts_canvas img_link" title="Click on image to zoom"><div class="ts_bar small" title="Click on image to zoom"></div><img src="/books/NBK65744.8/bin/CDR0000732258.jpg" alt="Stage IIB breast cancer. The drawing on the left shows the tumor is larger than 2 cm but not larger than 5 cm and small clusters of cancer cells are in the lymph nodes. The drawing in the middle shows the tumor is larger than 2 cm but not larger than 5 cm and cancer is in 3 axillary lymph nodes. The drawing on the right shows the tumor is larger than 5 cm but has not spread to the lymph nodes." class="tileshop" title="Click on image to zoom" /></a></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;"></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">T3</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">N0</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">M0</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;"> IIIA</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">T0</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">N2</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">M0</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="5" style="vertical-align:top;"><div class="graphic"><a href="/core/lw/2.0/html/tileshop_pmc/tileshop_pmc_inline.html?title=Image%20CDR0000732259&amp;p=BOOKS&amp;id=379190_CDR0000732259.jpg" target="tileshopwindow" class="inline_block pmc_inline_block ts_canvas img_link" title="Click on image to zoom"><div class="ts_bar small" title="Click on image to zoom"></div><img src="/books/NBK65744.8/bin/CDR0000732259.jpg" alt="Stage IIIA breast cancer. The drawing on the left shows no tumor in the breast; cancer is found in 8 axillary lymph nodes. The drawing in the middle shows the tumor is larger than 5 cm and small clusters of cancer cells are in the lymph nodes. The drawing on the right shows the tumor is larger than 5 cm and cancer is in 3 axillary lymph nodes." class="tileshop" title="Click on image to zoom" /></a></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;"></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">T1<sup>b</sup></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">N2</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">M0</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;"></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">T2</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">N2</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">M0</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;"></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">T3</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">N1</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">M0</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;"></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">T3</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">N2</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">M0</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;"> IIIB</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">T4</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">N0</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">M0</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="3" style="vertical-align:top;"><div class="graphic"><a href="/core/lw/2.0/html/tileshop_pmc/tileshop_pmc_inline.html?title=Image%20CDR0000732260&amp;p=BOOKS&amp;id=379190_CDR0000732260.jpg" target="tileshopwindow" class="inline_block pmc_inline_block ts_canvas img_link" title="Click on image to zoom"><div class="ts_bar small" title="Click on image to zoom"></div><img src="/books/NBK65744.8/bin/CDR0000732260.jpg" alt="Stage IIIB breast cancer. The drawing on the left is a cross section of the breast showing that cancer has spread to the chest wall. The ribs, muscle, and fatty tissue are also shown. The drawing on the right shows the tumor has spread to the skin of the breast. An inset shows inflammatory breast cancer." class="tileshop" title="Click on image to zoom" /></a></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;"></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">T4</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">N1</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">M0</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;"></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">T4</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">N2</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">M0</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;"> IIIC</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Any T</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">N3</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">M0</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;"><div class="graphic"><a href="/core/lw/2.0/html/tileshop_pmc/tileshop_pmc_inline.html?title=Image%20CDR0000732263&amp;p=BOOKS&amp;id=379190_CDR0000732263.jpg" target="tileshopwindow" class="inline_block pmc_inline_block ts_canvas img_link" title="Click on image to zoom"><div class="ts_bar small" title="Click on image to zoom"></div><img src="/books/NBK65744.8/bin/CDR0000732263.jpg" alt="Stage IIIC breast cancer. The drawing on the left shows cancer in lymph nodes in the axilla. The drawing in the middle shows cancer in lymph nodes above the collarbone. The drawing on the right shows cancer in lymph nodes in the axilla and in lymph nodes near the breastbone." class="tileshop" title="Click on image to zoom" /></a></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;"> IV</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Any T</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Any N</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">M1</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;"><div class="graphic"><a href="/core/lw/2.0/html/tileshop_pmc/tileshop_pmc_inline.html?title=Image%20CDR0000732265&amp;p=BOOKS&amp;id=379190_CDR0000732265.jpg" target="tileshopwindow" class="inline_block pmc_inline_block ts_canvas img_link" title="Click on image to zoom"><div class="ts_bar small" title="Click on image to zoom"></div><img src="/books/NBK65744.8/bin/CDR0000732265.jpg" alt="Stage IV breast cancer; drawing shows other parts of the body where breast cancer may spread, including the brain, lung, liver, and bone. An inset shows cancer cells spreading from the breast, through the blood and lymph system, to another part of the body where metastatic cancer has formed." class="tileshop" title="Click on image to zoom" /></a></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div><dl class="temp-labeled-list small"><dt></dt><dd><div><p class="no_margin"><sup>a</sup>Reprinted with permission from AJCC: Breast. In: Edge SB, Byrd DR, Compton CC, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 7th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2010, pp 347-76.</p></div></dd><dt></dt><dd><div><p class="no_margin"><sup>b</sup>T1 includes T1mi.</p></div></dd><dt></dt><dd><div><p class="no_margin"><sup>c</sup>T0 and T1 tumors with nodal micrometastases only are excluded from Stage IIA and are classified Stage IB.</p></div></dd><dt></dt><dd><div><p class="no_margin">&#x02013;M0 includes M0(i+).</p></div></dd><dt></dt><dd><div><p class="no_margin">&#x02013;The designation pM0 is not valid; any M0 should be clinical. </p></div></dd><dt></dt><dd><div><p class="no_margin">&#x02013;If a patient presents with M1 prior to neoadjuvant systemic therapy, the stage is considered Stage IV and remains Stage IV regardless of response to neoadjuvant therapy.</p></div></dd><dt></dt><dd><div><p class="no_margin">&#x02013;Stage designation may be changed if postsurgical imaging studies reveal the presence of distant metastases, provided that the studies are carried out within 4 months of diagnosis in the absence of disease progression and provided that the patient has not received neoadjuvant therapy.</p></div></dd><dt></dt><dd><div><p class="no_margin">&#x02013;Postneoadjuvant therapy is designated with "yc" or "yp" prefix. No stage group is assigned if there is a complete pathologic response (CR) to neoadjuvant therapy, for example, ypT0ypN0cM0.</p></div></dd></dl></div></div></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787_rl_27"><h3>References</h3><ol><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_27_1">Breast. In: Edge SB, Byrd DR, Compton CC, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 7th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2010, pp 347-76.</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_27_2">Singletary SE, Allred C, Ashley P, et al.: Revision of the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system for breast cancer. J Clin Oncol 20 (17): 3628-36, 2002. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12202663" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 12202663</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_27_3">Woodward WA, Strom EA, Tucker SL, et al.: Changes in the 2003 American Joint Committee on Cancer staging for breast cancer dramatically affect stage-specific survival. J Clin Oncol 21 (17): 3244-8, 2003. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12947058" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 12947058</span></a>]</div></li></ol></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1375"><h2 id="_CDR0000062787__1375_">Early/Localized/Operable Breast Cancer</h2><div id="CDR0000062787__183"><h3>Treatment Option Overview for Early/Localized/Operable Breast Cancer</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__995">Standard treatment options for early, localized, or operable breast cancer may include the following:</p><h4><span class="title">Surgery:</span></h4><ol id="CDR0000062787__1343"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) and sentinel node biopsy with or without axillary lymph node dissection for positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Modified radical mastectomy (removal of the entire breast with axillary dissection of levels I and II) with or without breast reconstruction and sentinel node biopsy with or without axillary lymph node dissection for positive SLNs.</div></li></ol><h4><span class="title">Postoperative radiation therapy:</span></h4><ol id="CDR0000062787__1344"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Axillary node&#x02013;negative breast cancer (postmastectomy):<ul id="CDR0000062787__1001"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>No additional therapy.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Radiation therapy.</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Axillary node&#x02013;positive breast cancer (postmastectomy):<ul id="CDR0000062787__1000"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>For one to three nodes, the role of regional radiation therapy to the infra/supraclavicular nodes, internal mammary nodes, axillary nodes, and chest wall is unclear.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>For four or more nodes or extranodal involvement, regional radiation therapy is advised.</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Axillary node&#x02013;negative or positive breast cancer (post&#x02013;breast-conserving therapy):<ul id="CDR0000062787__1002"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Whole-breast radiation therapy.</div></li></ul></div></li></ol><h4><span class="title">Postoperative systemic therapy:</span></h4><ol id="CDR0000062787__1345"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Therapy depends on many factors including stage, grade, molecular status of the tumor (e.g., estrogen receptor [ER], progesterone receptor [PR], human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 [HER2/neu], or triple-negative [ER-negative, PR-negative, and HER2/neu-negative] status). Adjuvant treatment options may include the following:<ul id="CDR0000062787__1004"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Tamoxifen.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Ovarian function suppression. </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Chemotherapy.</div></li></ul></div></li></ol><h4><span class="title">Preoperative systemic therapy:</span></h4><ol id="CDR0000062787__1346"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Chemotherapy.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>HER2 targeted therapy.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Endocrine therapy.</div></li></ol></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1019"><h3>Surgery</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__97">Stage I, II, IIIA, and operable IIIC breast cancer often require a multimodal approach to
treatment. The diagnostic
biopsy and surgical procedure that will be used as primary treatment should be
performed as two separate procedures:</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1137"><li class="half_rhythm"><div><b>Biopsy.</b> In many cases, the diagnosis of breast
carcinoma is made by core needle biopsy.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><b>Surgical procedure.</b> After the presence of a malignancy is
confirmed by biopsy, the following surgical treatment options can be discussed
with the patient before a therapeutic procedure is selected:<dl id="CDR0000062787__1138" class="temp-labeled-list"><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Breast-conserving surgery.</p></dd><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Modified radical mastectomy (removal of the entire breast with axillary dissection of levels I and II) with or without breast reconstruction.</p></dd></dl>
</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__1139">To guide the selection of adjuvant therapy, many factors including stage, grade, and molecular status of the tumor (e.g., ER, PR, HER2/neu, or triple-negative status) are considered.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_1">1</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_5">5</a>]</p><div id="CDR0000062787__1020"><h4>Locoregional treatment</h4><p id="CDR0000062787__1140">Selection of a local therapeutic approach depends on the
following:[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_6">6</a>]</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1141"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Location and size of the lesion.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Analysis of the mammogram.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Breast size.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Patient&#x02019;s desire to preserve the breast. </div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__98">Options for surgical management of the primary tumor include the following: </p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1142"><li class="half_rhythm"><div><b>Breast-conserving
surgery plus radiation therapy.</b> All histologic types of invasive breast cancer may be treated with
breast-conserving surgery plus radiation therapy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_7">7</a>] However, the presence of inflammatory breast cancer, regardless of histologic subtype, is a contraindication to breast-conserving therapy. The presence of
multifocal disease in the breast and a history of collagen vascular disease are
relative contraindications to breast-conserving therapy.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><b>Mastectomy with or without breast reconstruction.</b></div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__1143">Surgical staging of the axilla should also be performed. </p><p id="CDR0000062787__1144">Survival is
equivalent with any of these options, as documented in the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer's trial (EORTC-10801) [<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_8">8</a>] and other prospective randomized trials.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_9">9</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_15">15</a>] Also, a retrospective study of 753 patients who were divided into three groups based on hormone receptor status (ER-positive or PR-positive; ER-negative and PR-negative but HER2/neu-positive; and triple-negative) found no differences in disease control within the breast in patients treated with standard breast-conserving surgery; however, there are not yet substantive data to support this finding.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_16">16</a>]</p><p id="CDR0000062787__99">The rate of local
recurrence in the breast with conservative treatment is low and varies slightly
with the surgical technique used (e.g., lumpectomy, quadrantectomy, segmental
mastectomy, and others). Whether completely clear
microscopic margins are necessary has been debated.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_17">17</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_19">19</a>]
However, a multidisciplinary consensus panel recently used margin width and ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence from a meta-analysis of 33 studies (N = 28,162 patients) as the primary evidence base for a new consensus regarding margins in stage I and stage II breast cancer patients treated with breast-conserving surgery plus radiation therapy. Results of the meta-analysis include the following:[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_20">20</a>]</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1316"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Positive margins (ink on invasive carcinoma or ductal carcinoma <i>in situ</i>) were associated with a twofold increase in the risk of ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence compared with negative margins.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>More widely clear margins were not found to significantly decrease the rate of ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence compared with no ink on tumor. Thus, it was recommended that the use of no ink on tumor be the new standard for an adequate margin in invasive cancer.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>There was no evidence that more widely clear margins reduced ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence for young patients or for those with unfavorable biology, lobular cancers, or cancers with an extensive intraductal component.</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__1651">For patients undergoing partial mastectomy, margins may be positive after primary surgery, often leading to re-excision. A clinical trial of 235 patients with stage 0 to III breast cancer who underwent partial mastectomy, with or without resection of selective margins, randomly assigned patients to have additional cavity shave margins resected (shave group) or not (no-shave group).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_21">21</a>] Patients in the shave group had a significantly lower rate of positive margins than those in the no-shave group (19% vs. 34%, <i>P </i>= .01) and a lower rate of second surgery for clearing margins (10% vs. 21%, <i>P </i>= .02).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_21">21</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000587983/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiDiv</a>]</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1021"><h4>Axillary lymph node management</h4><p id="CDR0000062787__1317">Axillary node status remains the most important predictor of outcome in breast cancer patients. Evidence is insufficient to recommend that lymph node staging can be omitted in most patients with invasive breast cancer. Several groups have attempted to define a population of women in whom the probability of nodal metastasis is low enough to preclude axillary node biopsy. In these single-institution case series, the prevalence of positive nodes in patients with T1a tumors ranged from 9% to 16%.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_22">22</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_23">23</a>] Another series reported the incidence of axillary node relapse in patients with T1a tumors treated without axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) was 2%.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_24">24</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335150/" class="def">Level of evidence: 3iiiA</a>]</p><p id="CDR0000062787__779">The axillary lymph nodes are staged to aid in determining prognosis and
therapy. SLN biopsy is the initial standard axillary staging procedure performed in women with invasive breast cancer. The SLN is defined as any node that receives drainage directly from the primary tumor; therefore, allowing for more than one SLN, which is often the case. Studies have shown that the injection of technetium-labeled sulfur colloid, vital blue dye, or both around the tumor or biopsy cavity, or in the subareolar area, and subsequent drainage of these compounds to the axilla results in the identification of the SLN in 92% to 98% of patients.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_25">25</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_26">26</a>] These reports demonstrate a 97.5% to 100% concordance between SLN biopsy and complete ALND.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_27">27</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_30">30</a>]</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1147">On the basis of the following body of evidence, SLN biopsy is the standard initial surgical staging procedure of the axilla for women with invasive breast cancer. SLN biopsy alone is associated with less morbidity than axillary lymphadenectomy. </p><p id="CDR0000062787__1148">Evidence (SLN biopsy):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1149"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>A randomized trial of 1,031 women compared SLN biopsy followed by ALND when the SLN was positive with ALND in all patients.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_31">31</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335127/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiC</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1151"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Quality of life (QOL) at 1 year (as assessed by the frequency of patients experiencing a clinically significant deterioration in the Trial Outcome Index of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast scale) was superior in the SLN biopsy group (23% vs. 35% deteriorating in the SLN biopsy vs. ALND groups, respectively; <i>P</i> = .001). Arm function was also better in the SLN group.</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project&#x02019;s (<a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=66987" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">NSABP-B-32</a> [<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00003830" title="Study NCT00003830" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00003830</a>]) multicenter phase III trial randomly assigned women (N = 5,611) to either SLN plus ALND or SLN resection alone, with ALND only if the SLNs were positive.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_32">32</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1150"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The study showed no detectable difference in overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and regional control. OS was 91.8% for SLN plus ALND versus 90.3% for SLN resection alone (<i>P</i> = .12).</div></li></ul></div></li></ol><p id="CDR0000062787__1152">On the basis of the following trial results, ALND is unnecessary after a positive SLN biopsy in patients with limited SLN-positive breast cancer treated with breast conservation or mastectomy, radiation, and systemic therapy.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1153">Evidence (ALND after a positive SLN biopsy in patients with limited SLN-positive breast cancer):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1154"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>A multicenter, randomized clinical trial sought to determine whether ALND is required after an SLN biopsy reveals an SLN metastasis of breast cancer. This phase III noninferiority trial planned to randomly assign 1,900 women with clinical T1 or T2 invasive breast cancer without palpable adenopathy and with one to two SLNs containing metastases identified by frozen section to undergo ALND or no further axillary treatment. All patients underwent lumpectomy, tangential whole-breast radiation therapy, and appropriate systemic therapy; OS was the primary endpoint. Because of enrollment challenges, a total of 891 women out of a target enrollment of 1,900 women were randomly assigned to one of the two treatment arms.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_33">33</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1155"><li class="half_rhythm"><div> At a median follow-up of 6.3 years, 5-year OS was 91.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 89.1%&#x02013;94.5%) with ALND and 92.5% (95% CI, 90.0&#x02013;95.1%) with SLN biopsy alone.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The secondary endpoint of 5-year DFS was 82.2% (95% CI, 78.3%&#x02013;86.3%) with ALND and 83.9% (95% CI, 80.2%&#x02013;87.9%) with SLN biopsy alone.</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In a similarly designed trial, 929 women with breast tumors smaller than 5 cm and SLN involvement smaller than 2 mm were randomly assigned to ALND or no ALND.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_34">34</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence:
1iiA</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1156"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Patients without axillary dissection had fewer DFS events (hazard ratio [HR], 0.78; 95% CI, 0.55&#x02013;1.11).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>No difference in OS was observed.</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The <a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=68566" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">AMAROS</a> (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00014612" title="Study NCT00014612" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00014612</a>) trial studied ALND and axillary radiation therapy after identification of a positive sentinel node.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_35">35</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1157"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>ALND and axillary radiation therapy provided excellent and comparable axillary control for patients with T1 or T2 primary breast cancer and no palpable lymphadenopathy who underwent breast-conserving therapy or mastectomy.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The use of axillary radiation therapy was also associated with significantly less morbidity.</div></li></ul></div></li></ol><p id="CDR0000062787__1158">For patients who require an ALND, the standard evaluation usually involves only a level I and II dissection, thereby removing a satisfactory number of nodes for evaluation (i.e., at least 6&#x02013;10), while reducing morbidity from the procedure. </p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1022"><h4>Breast reconstruction</h4><p id="CDR0000062787__107">For patients who opt for a total mastectomy, reconstructive surgery may be
performed at the time of the mastectomy (i.e., immediate reconstruction)
or at some subsequent time (i.e., delayed reconstruction).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_36">36</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_39">39</a>] Breast contour can
be restored by the following:</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1161"><li class="half_rhythm"><div><b>Submuscular insertion of an artificial implant
(silicone- or saline-filled).</b> If an immediate implant cannot technically be performed,
a tissue expander can be inserted beneath the pectoral muscle. Saline is
injected into the expander to stretch the tissues for a period of weeks or
months until the desired volume is obtained. The tissue expander is then
replaced by a permanent implant. (Visit the U. S. Food and Drug Administration's [<a href="http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/ImplantsandProsthetics/BreastImplants/default.htm" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">FDA's website</a>] for more
information on breast implants.) </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><b>Rectus muscle or other flap.</b> Muscle flaps require a
considerably more complicated and prolonged operative procedure, and blood
transfusions may be required.
</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__648">After breast reconstruction, radiation
therapy can be delivered to the chest wall and regional nodes in either the
adjuvant or local recurrent disease setting. Radiation therapy after
reconstruction with a breast prosthesis may affect cosmesis, and the incidence
of capsular fibrosis, pain, or the need for implant removal may be
increased.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_40">40</a>]</p></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1023"><h3>Postoperative Radiation Therapy</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__436">Radiation therapy is regularly employed after breast-conserving surgery. Radiation therapy is also indicated for high-risk postmastectomy patients. The main goal of adjuvant radiation therapy is to eradicate residual disease thus reducing local recurrence.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_41">41</a>]</p><div id="CDR0000062787__1024"><h4>Post&#x02013;breast-conserving surgery</h4><p id="CDR0000062787__438">For women who are treated with breast-conserving surgery without radiation therapy, the risk of recurrence in the conserved breast is substantial (&#x0003e;20%) even in confirmed axillary lymph node&#x02013;negative women.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_42">42</a>] Although all trials assessing the role of radiation therapy in breast-conserving therapy have shown highly statistically significant reductions in local recurrence rate, no single trial has demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in mortality. However, a large meta-analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in risk of recurrence and breast cancer death.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_43">43</a>] Thus, evidence supports the use of whole-breast radiation therapy after breast-conserving surgery. </p><p id="CDR0000062787__1168">Evidence (breast-conserving surgery followed by radiation therapy):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1169"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>A 2011 meta-analysis of 17 clinical trials performed by the Early Breast Cancer Trialists&#x02019; Collaborative Group (EBCTCG), which included over 10,000 women with early-stage breast cancer, supported whole-breast radiation therapy after breast-conserving surgery.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_43">43</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>] <ul id="CDR0000062787__1171"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Whole-breast radiation therapy resulted in a significant reduction in the 10-year risk of recurrence compared with breast-conserving surgery alone (19% for whole-breast radiation therapy vs. 35% for breast-conserving surgery alone; relative risk (RR) = 0.52; 95% CI, 0.48&#x02013;0.56) and a significant reduction in the 15-year risk of breast cancer death (21% for whole-breast radiation therapy vs. 25% for breast-conserving surgery alone; RR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.75&#x02013;0.90).</div></li></ul></div></li></ol><p id="CDR0000062787__938">With regard to radiation dosing and schedule, the following has been noted:</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1172"><li class="half_rhythm"><div class="half_rhythm"><b>Whole-breast radiation dose. </b>Conventional whole-breast radiation therapy is delivered to the whole breast (with or without regional lymph nodes) in 1.8 Gy to 2 Gy daily fractions over about 5 to 6 weeks to a total dose of 45 Gy to 50 Gy. </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div class="half_rhythm"><b>Radiation boost. </b>A further radiation boost is commonly given to the tumor bed. Two randomized trials conducted in Europe have shown that using boosts of 10 Gy to 16 Gy reduces the risk of local recurrence from 4.6% to 3.6% at 3 years (<i>P</i> = .044),[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_44">44</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335131/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiDiii</a>] and from 7.3% to 4.3% at 5 years (<i>P</i> &#x0003c; .001).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_45">45</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335131/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiDiii</a>] Results were similar after a median follow-up of 17.2 years.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_46">46</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335129/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiDii</a>] If a boost is used, it can be delivered either by external-beam radiation therapy, generally with electrons, or by using an interstitial radioactive implant.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_47">47</a>] </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div class="half_rhythm"><b>Radiation schedule. </b>Some studies show that a shorter fractionation schedule of 42.5 Gy over 3 to 4 weeks is a reasonable alternative for some breast cancer patients.<dl id="CDR0000062787__1173" class="temp-labeled-list"><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">A noninferiority trial of 1,234 randomly assigned patients with node-negative invasive breast cancer analyzed locoregional recurrence rates with conventional whole-breast radiation therapy versus a shorter fractionation schedule.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_48">48</a>] The 10-year locoregional relapse rate among women who received shorter fractionation was not inferior to conventional whole-breast radiation therapy (6.2% for a shorter fractionation schedule vs. 6.7% for whole-breast radiation therapy with absolute difference, 0.5 percentage points; 95% CI, &#x02212;2.5 to 3.5).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_48">48</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335129/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiDii</a></p></dd><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Similarly, a combined analysis of the randomized United Kingdom Standardisation of Breast Radiotherapy trials (START), (START-A [ISRCTN59368779]) and START-B [ISRCTN59368779]), which collectively randomly assigned 4,451 women with completely excised invasive (pT1&#x02013;3a, pN0&#x02013;1, M0) early-stage breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery to conventional whole-breast radiation therapy dosing or shorter fractionation, revealed no difference in a 10-year locoregional relapse rate.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_49">49</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335129/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiDii</a>]</p></dd></dl></div><div class="half_rhythm"> Additional studies are needed to determine whether shorter fractionation is appropriate for women with higher nodal disease burden.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_49">49</a>]</div></li></ul></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1602"><h4>Regional nodal irradiation</h4><p id="CDR0000062787__1603">Regional nodal irradiation is routinely given postmastectomy to patients with involved lymph nodes; however, its role in patients who have breast-conserving surgery and whole-breast irradiation has been less clear. A randomized trial (<a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=652002" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">NCT00005957</a>) of 1,832 women showed that administering regional nodal irradiation after breast-conserving surgery and whole-breast irradiation reduces the risk of recurrence (10-year DFS, 82.0% vs. 77.0%; HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.61&#x02013;0.94; <i>P</i> = .01) but does not affect survival (10-year OS, 82.8% vs. 81.8%; HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.72&#x02013;1.13; <i>P</i> = .38).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_50">50</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1025"><h4>Postmastectomy</h4><p id="CDR0000062787__110">Postoperative chest wall and regional lymph node adjuvant radiation therapy has traditionally been given
to selected patients considered at high risk for locoregional failure
after mastectomy.
Patients at highest risk for local recurrence have one or more of the following:[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_51">51</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_53">53</a>] </p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1175"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Four or more
positive axillary nodes.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Grossly evident extracapsular nodal extension.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Large
primary tumors.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Very close or positive deep margins of resection of the
primary tumor.</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__1176">In this high-risk group, radiation therapy can decrease locoregional recurrence, even among those patients who receive adjuvant chemotherapy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_54">54</a>]</p><p id="CDR0000062787__441">Patients with one to three involved nodes without any of the high-risk factors are at low risk of local recurrence, and the value of routine use of adjuvant radiation therapy in this setting is unclear.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1319">Evidence (postoperative radiation therapy in patients with one to three involved lymph nodes):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1320"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The 2005 EBCTCG meta-analysis of 42,000 women in 78 randomized treatment comparisons indicated that radiation therapy is beneficial, regardless of the number of lymph nodes involved.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_41">41</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1321"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>For women with node-positive disease postmastectomy and axillary clearance (removal of axillary lymph nodes and surrounding fat), radiation therapy reduced the 5-year local recurrence risk from 23% to 6% (absolute gain, 17%; 95% CI, 15.2%&#x02013;18.8%). This translated into a significant reduction (<i>P</i> = .002) in breast cancer mortality, 54.7% versus 60.1%, with an absolute gain of 5.4% (95% CI, 2.9%&#x02013;7.9%).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In subgroup analyses, the 5-year local recurrence rate was reduced by 12% (95% CI, 8%&#x02013;16%) for women with one to three involved lymph nodes and by 14% (95% CI, 10%&#x02013;18%) for women with four or more involved lymph nodes. In an updated meta-analysis of 1,314 women with axillary dissection and one to three positive nodes, radiation therapy reduced locoregional recurrence (2<i>P</i> &#x0003c; .00001), overall recurrence (RR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.57&#x02013;0.82; 2<i>P</i> = .00006), and breast cancer mortality (RR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67&#x02013;0.95; 2<i>P</i> = .01).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_55">55</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In contrast, for women at low-risk of local recurrence with node-negative disease, the absolute reduction in 5-year local recurrence was only 4% (<i>P</i> = .002; 95% CI, 1.8%&#x02013;6.2%), and there was not a statistically significant reduction in 15-year breast cancer mortality (absolute gain, 1.0%; <i>P</i> &#x0003e; .1; 95% CI, -0.8%&#x02013;2.8%).</div></li></ul></div></li></ol><p id="CDR0000062787__1361">Further, an analysis of NSABP trials showed that even in patients with large (&#x0003e;5 cm) primary tumors and negative axillary lymph nodes, the risk of isolated locoregional recurrence was low enough (7.1%) that routine locoregional radiation therapy was not warranted.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_56">56</a>]</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__269"><h4>Timing of postoperative radiation therapy</h4><p id="CDR0000062787__171">The optimal sequence of adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy after
breast-conserving surgery has been studied. Based on the following studies, delaying radiation therapy for several months after
breast-conserving surgery until the completion of adjuvant chemotherapy does not appear to have a negative impact on overall outcome. Additionally, initiating chemotherapy soon after breast-conserving surgery may be preferable for patients at high risk of distant dissemination.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1162">Evidence (timing of postoperative radiation therapy):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1163"><li class="half_rhythm"><div class="half_rhythm"> In a randomized trial, patients
received one of the following regimens:[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_57">57</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]<ol id="CDR0000062787__1322" class="lower-alpha"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Chemotherapy first (n = 122), consisting of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, fluorouracil (5-FU), and prednisone (CMFP) plus doxorubicin
repeated every 21 days for four cycles, followed by breast radiation.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Breast
radiation first (n = 122), followed by the same chemotherapy.</div></li></ol></div><div class="half_rhythm">The following results were observed:<ul id="CDR0000062787__1164"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>With a median
follow-up of 5 years, OS was 73% for the radiation-first group
and 81% for the chemotherapy-first group (<i>P</i> = .11).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The 5-year crude rate of first recurrence by site was 5% in the radiation-first group and
14% in the chemotherapy-first group for local recurrence
and 32% in the radiation-first group and 20% in the chemotherapy-first group for distant or regional recurrence or both. This difference in
the pattern of recurrence was of borderline statistical significance (<i>P</i> = .07).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Further analyses revealed that differences in recurrence patterns persisted for
most subgroups with the exception of those who had either negative tumor
margins or one to three positive lymph nodes. For these two subgroups, sequence
assignment made little difference in local or distant recurrence rates,
although the statistical power of these subgroup analyses was low.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Potential
explanations for the increase in distant recurrence noted in the radiation-first group are that chemotherapy was delayed for a median of 17 weeks
after surgery, and that this group received lower chemotherapy dosages because of
increased myelosuppression.
</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div class="half_rhythm">Two additional randomized trials, though not specifically designed to address
the timing of radiation therapy and adjuvant chemotherapy, do add useful
information.<ol id="CDR0000062787__1165" class="lower-alpha"><li class="half_rhythm"><div> In the NSABP-B-15 trial, patients who had undergone
breast-conserving surgery received either one course of CMF (n = 194) followed by
radiation therapy followed by five additional cycles of CMF, or they received four
cycles of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC) (n = 199) followed by radiation therapy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_58">58</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1166"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>No differences in
DFS, distant DFS, and OS were
observed between these two arms.</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The International
Breast Cancer Study Group trials VI and VII also varied the timing of
radiation therapy with CMF adjuvant chemotherapy and reported results similar to NSABP-B-15.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_59">59</a>] </div></li></ol></div></li></ol><p id="CDR0000062787__1167">These studies showed
that delaying radiation therapy for 2 to 7 months after surgery had no effect
on the rate of local recurrence.
These findings have been confirmed in a meta-analysis.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_60">60</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]</p><p id="CDR0000062787__683">In an unplanned analysis of patients treated on a phase III trial evaluating the benefit of adding trastuzumab in HER2/neu-positive breast cancer patients, there was no associated increase in acute adverse events or frequency of cardiac events in patients who received concurrent adjuvant radiation therapy and trastuzumab.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_61">61</a>] Therefore, delivering radiation therapy concomitantly with trastuzumab appears to be safe and avoids additional delay in radiation therapy treatment initiation.</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1026"><h4>Late toxic effects
of radiation</h4><p id="CDR0000062787__116">Late toxic effects of radiation therapy are uncommon, and can be minimized with current
radiation delivery techniques and with careful delineation of the target
volume. Late effects of radiation include
the following:
</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1178"><li class="half_rhythm"><div class="half_rhythm"><b>Radiation pneumonitis. </b>In a retrospective analysis of 1,624 women treated with conservative surgery and
adjuvant breast radiation at a single institution, the overall incidence of
symptomatic radiation pneumonitis was 1.0% at a median follow-up of 77 months.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_62">62</a>]
The incidence of pneumonitis increased to 3.0% with the use of a supraclavicular
radiation field and to 8.8% when concurrent chemotherapy was administered.
The incidence was only 1.3% in patients who received sequential
chemotherapy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_62">62</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000561227/" class="def">Level of evidence: 3iii</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div class="half_rhythm"><b>Cardiac events. </b>Controversy existed as to whether adjuvant radiation therapy to the left chest wall or breast, with or without inclusion of the regional lymphatics, was associated with increased cardiac mortality. In women treated with radiation therapy before 1980, an increased cardiac death rate was noted after 10 to 15 years, compared with women with nonradiated or right-side-only radiated breast cancer.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_54">54</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_63">63</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_65">65</a>] This was probably caused by the radiation received by the left myocardium.</div><div class="half_rhythm">Modern radiation therapy techniques introduced in the 1990s minimized deep radiation to the underlying myocardium when left-sided chest wall or left-breast radiation was used. Cardiac mortality decreased accordingly.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_66">66</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_67">67</a>] </div><div class="half_rhythm">An analysis of the National Cancer Institute&#x02019;s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program data from 1973 to 1989 reviewing deaths caused by ischemic heart disease in women who received breast or chest wall radiation showed that since 1980, no increased death rate resulting from ischemic heart disease in women who received left chest wall or breast radiation was found.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_68">68</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_69">69</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335139/" class="def">Level of evidence: 3iB</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div class="half_rhythm"><b>Arm lymphedema. </b>Lymphedema remains a major quality-of-life
concern for breast cancer patients. Single-modality treatment of the axilla
(surgery or radiation) is associated with a low incidence of arm edema.
In patients who receive axillary dissection, adjuvant radiation therapy increases the risk of arm edema. Edema occurs in 2% to 10% of patients who receive axillary dissection alone compared with 13% to 18% of patients who receive axillary dissection and adjuvant radiation therapy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_70">70</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_72">72</a>] (Refer to the PDQ summary on <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000598435/">Lymphedema</a> for more information.)
</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div class="half_rhythm"><b>Brachial plexopathy. </b>Radiation injury to the brachial plexus after adjuvant nodal radiation therapy is
a rare clinical entity for breast cancer patients. In a single-institution
study using current radiation techniques, 449 breast cancer patients treated
with postoperative radiation therapy to the breast and regional lymphatics were
monitored for 5.5 years to assess the rate of brachial plexus injury.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_73">73</a>] The
diagnosis of such injury was made clinically with computerized tomography (CT) to
distinguish radiation injury from tumor recurrence. When 54 Gy in 30 fractions
was delivered to the regional nodes, the incidence of symptomatic brachial
plexus injury was 1.0%, compared with 5.9% when increased fraction sizes (45 Gy
in 15 fractions) were used.
</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div class="half_rhythm"><b>Contralateral breast cancer. </b>One report suggested an increase in contralateral breast
cancer for women younger than 45 years who received chest wall
radiation therapy after mastectomy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_74">74</a>] No increased risk of contralateral
breast cancer occurred in women aged 45 years and older who received radiation
therapy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_75">75</a>] Techniques to minimize the radiation dose to the contralateral
breast are used to keep the absolute risk as low as possible.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_76">76</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div class="half_rhythm"><b>Risk of second malignancy. </b>The rate of second malignancy after adjuvant radiation therapy is very
low. Sarcomas in the treated field are rare, with a long-term risk of 0.2%
at 10 years.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_77">77</a>] In
nonsmokers, the risk of lung cancer as a result of radiation exposure during
treatment is minimal when current dosimetry techniques are used. Smokers,
however, may have a small increased risk of lung cancer in the ipsilateral
lung.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_78">78</a>]</div></li></ul></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1027"><h3>Postoperative Systemic Therapy</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__714">Stage and molecular features determine the need for adjuvant systemic therapy and the choice of modalities used. For example, hormone receptor (ER and/or PR)&#x02013;positive patients will receive hormone therapy. HER2 overexpression is an indication for using adjuvant trastuzumab, usually in combination with chemotherapy. When neither HER2 overexpression nor hormone receptors are present (i.e., <a href="#CDR0000062787__1376">triple-negative breast cancer</a>), adjuvant therapy relies on chemotherapeutic regimens, which may be combined with investigational targeted approaches. </p><p id="CDR0000062787__190">An international consensus panel proposed a risk classification system and systemic therapy treatment options.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_79">79</a>] This classification, with
some modification, is described below:
</p><div id="CDR0000062787__1369" class="table"><h3><span class="title">Table 7. Systemic Treatment for Early Breast Cancer by Subtype<sup>a</sup></span></h3><p class="large-table-link" style="display:none"><span class="right"><a href="/books/NBK65744.8/table/CDR0000062787__1369/?report=objectonly" target="object">View in own window</a></span></p><div class="large_tbl" id="__CDR0000062787__1369_lrgtbl__"><table class="no_margin"><thead><tr><th colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;vertical-align:top;">Subtype </th><th colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;vertical-align:top;">Treatment Options </th><th colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;vertical-align:top;">Comments </th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Luminal A&#x02013;like</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">&#x02013; Hormone receptor&#x02013;positive</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="4" style="vertical-align:top;">Endocrine therapy alone in most cases</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Consider chemotherapy if:</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">&#x02013; HER2-negative</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;">&#x02013; High tumor burden (&#x02265;4 LNs, T3 or higher)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">&#x02013; PR &#x0003e;20%</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">&#x02013; Ki67 low</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">&#x02013; Grade 3</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Luminal B&#x02013;like</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">&#x02013; Hormone receptor&#x02013;positive</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="3" style="vertical-align:top;">Endocrine therapy plus chemotherapy in most cases</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="3" style="vertical-align:top;"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">&#x02013; HER2-negative</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">&#x02013; Either Ki67 high or PR low</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;">HER2-positive </td><td colspan="1" rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;">Chemotherapy plus anti-HER2 therapy</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Use endocrine therapy, if also hormone receptor&#x02013;positive</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">May consider omitting chemotherapy plus anti-HER2, for small node-negative tumors</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Triple-negative</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Chemotherapy</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">May consider omitting CT, for small node-negative tumors</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div><dl class="temp-labeled-list small"><dt></dt><dd><div><p class="no_margin">CT = chemotherapy; ER = estrogen receptor; HER2 = human epidermal growth factor receptor 2; LN = lymph node; PR = progesterone receptor.</p></div></dd><dt></dt><dd><div><p class="no_margin"><sup>a</sup>Modified from Senkus et al.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_79">79</a>]</p></div></dd></dl></div></div></div><p id="CDR0000062787__1181">The selection of
therapy is most appropriately based upon knowledge of an individual&#x02019;s
risk of tumor recurrence balanced against the short-term and long-term risks of
adjuvant treatment. This approach allows clinicians to help individuals
determine if the gains anticipated from treatment are reasonable for
their particular situation. The treatment options described below should be
modified based upon both patient and tumor characteristics.
</p><div id="CDR0000062787__1135" class="table"><h3><span class="title">Table 8. Adjuvant Systemic Treatment Options for Women With Stages I, II, IIIA, and Operable IIIC Breast Cancer</span></h3><p class="large-table-link" style="display:none"><span class="right"><a href="/books/NBK65744.8/table/CDR0000062787__1135/?report=objectonly" target="object">View in own window</a></span></p><div class="large_tbl" id="__CDR0000062787__1135_lrgtbl__"><table class="no_margin"><thead><tr><th colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;vertical-align:top;">Patient Group </th><th colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;vertical-align:top;">Treatment Options</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="5" style="vertical-align:top;">Premenopausal, hormone receptor&#x02013;positive (ER or PR)</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">No additional therapy</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Tamoxifen</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Tamoxifen plus chemotherapy</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Ovarian function suppression plus tamoxifen</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">
Ovarian function suppression plus aromatase inhibitor</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;">Premenopausal, hormone receptor&#x02013;negative (ER or PR)</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">No additional therapy</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Chemotherapy</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;">Postmenopausal, hormone receptor&#x02013;positive (ER or PR)</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">No additional therapy</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Upfront aromatase inhibitor therapy or tamoxifen followed by aromatase inhibitor with or without chemotherapy</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;">Postmenopausal, hormone receptor&#x02013;negative (ER or PR)</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">No additional therapy</td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="vertical-align:top;">Chemotherapy</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div><dl class="temp-labeled-list small"><dt></dt><dd><div><p class="no_margin">ER = estrogen receptor; PR = progesterone receptor.</p></div></dd></dl></div></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1038"><h4>Chemotherapy</h4><div id="CDR0000062787__1041"><h5>Adjuvant chemotherapy 1970s to 2000: Anthracycline-based regimens versus CMF</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__649">The EBCTCG meta-analysis analyzed 11 trials that began from 1976 to 1989 in
which women were randomly assigned to receive regimens containing anthracyclines (e.g., doxorubicin or epirubicin) or CMF (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and fluorouracil). The result of the overview analysis comparing CMF and
anthracycline-containing regimens suggested a slight advantage for the
anthracycline regimens in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_80">80</a>]</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1182">Evidence (anthracycline-based regimens):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1183"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The EBCTCG overview analysis directly compared anthracycline-containing regimens (mostly 6 months of fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide [FEC] or fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide [FAC]) with CMF (either oral or intravenous [IV]) in approximately 14,000 women, 64% of whom were younger than 50 years.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_80">80</a>] <ul id="CDR0000062787__1184"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Compared with CMF, anthracycline-based regimens were associated with a modest but statistically significant 11% proportional reduction in the annual risk of disease recurrence, and a 16% reduction in the annual risk of death. In each case, the absolute difference in outcomes between anthracycline-based and CMF-type chemotherapy was about 3% at 5 years and 4% at 10 years.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_81">81</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Of note, few women older than 70 years were studied, and specific conclusions could not be reached for this age group.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Importantly, these data were derived from clinical trials in which patients were not selected for adjuvant therapy according to hormone-receptor status, and the trials were initiated before the advent of taxane-containing, dose-dense, or trastuzumab-based therapy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_80">80</a>] As a result, the data may not reflect treatment outcomes based on evolving treatment patterns.</div></li></ul></div></li></ol><p id="CDR0000062787__530">Study results suggest that particular tumor characteristics (i.e., node-positive breast cancer with HER2/neu overexpression) may
predict anthracycline-responsiveness. </p><p id="CDR0000062787__1185">Evidence (anthracycline-based regimen in women with HER2/neu amplification):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1186"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Data from retrospective analyses of
randomized clinical trials suggest that, in patients with node-positive breast
cancer, the benefit from standard-dose versus lower-dose adjuvant cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and fluorouracil (CAF),[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_2">2</a>] or the
addition of doxorubicin to the adjuvant regimen,[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_3">3</a>] is restricted to those
patients whose tumors overexpress HER2/neu.[<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>A retrospective analysis of the HER2/neu status of 710 premenopausal, node-positive women was undertaken to see the effects of adjuvant chemotherapy with CMF or cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, and fluorouracil (CEF).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_82">82</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335132/" class="def">Level of evidence: 2A</a>] HER2/neu was measured using fluorescence <i>in situ</i> hybridization, polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemical methods. <ul id="CDR0000062787__1187"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The study confirmed previous data indicating that the amplification of HER2/neu was associated with a decrease in relapse-free survival (RFS) and OS.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In patients with HER2/neu amplification, the RFS and OS were increased by CEF.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In the absence of HER2/neu amplification, CEF and CMF were similar with regard to RFS (HR for relapse, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.71&#x02013;1.18; <i>P</i> = .049) and OS (HR for death, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.83&#x02013;1.44; <i>P</i> = .68).</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Similar results were seen in a meta-analysis that included 5,354 patients in whom HER2 status was known from eight randomized trials (including the one just described) comparing anthracycline-containing regimens with nonanthracycline-containing regimens.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_83">83</a>]</div></li></ol></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1042"><h5>Adjuvant chemotherapy 2000s to present: The role of adding taxanes to adjuvant therapy</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__659">A number of trials have addressed the benefit of adding a taxane (paclitaxel or docetaxel) to an anthracycline-based adjuvant chemotherapy regimen for women with node-positive breast cancer.
</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1188">Evidence (adding a taxane to an anthracycline-based regimen):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1189"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>A literature-based meta-analysis of 13 studies demonstrated that the inclusion of a taxane improved both DFS and OS (DFS: HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.79&#x02013;0.87; <i>P</i> &#x0003c; .001; OS: HR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.79&#x02013;0.91; <i>P</i> &#x0003c; .001).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_84">84</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1190"><li class="half_rhythm"><div> Five-year absolute survival differences were 5% for DFS and 3% for OS in favor of taxane-containing regimens.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>There were no differences in benefit observed in patient subsets defined by nodal status, hormone-receptor status, or age/menopausal status. There was also no apparent difference in efficacy between the two agents. However, none of the studies that were reviewed involved a direct comparison between paclitaxel and docetaxel.</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>A U.S. intergroup study (CLB-9344) randomly assigned women with node-positive tumors to three
dose levels of doxorubicin (60, 75, and 90 mg/m<sup>2</sup>) and a fixed
dose of cyclophosphamide (600 mg/m<sup>2</sup>) every 3 weeks for four cycles.
After AC (doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide) chemotherapy, patients were randomly assigned for a second time to paclitaxel
(175 mg/m<sup>2</sup>) every 3 weeks for four cycles or no further therapy, and women with
hormone receptor&#x02013;positive tumors also received tamoxifen for 5 years.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_85">85</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1191"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Although the
dose-escalation of doxorubicin was not beneficial, the addition of paclitaxel
resulted in statistically significant improvements in DFS (5%) and
OS (3%).</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div> The NSABP-B-28 trial randomly assigned 3,060 women with node-positive breast cancer to four
cycles of postoperative AC or four cycles of AC followed by four cycles of
paclitaxel. Women younger than 50 years with receptor-positive disease and all women older than 50 years received tamoxifen.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_86">86</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]
<ul id="CDR0000062787__1192"><li class="half_rhythm"><div> DFS was significantly improved by the addition of paclitaxel (HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.72&#x02013;0.96; <i>P</i> = .006; 5-year DFS, 76% vs. 72%).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The difference in OS was small (HR, 0.93), however, and not statistically significant (<i>P</i> = .46).</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In the Breast Cancer International Research Group's trial (BCIRG-001), the FAC regimen was compared with the docetaxel plus doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (TAC) regimen in 1,491 women with node-positive disease. Six cycles of either regimen were given as adjuvant postoperative therapy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_87">87</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_88">88</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1193"><li class="half_rhythm"><div> There was a 75% DFS rate at 5 years in the TAC group, compared with a 68% DFS rate in the FAC group (<i>P</i> = .001).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>TAC was associated with a 30% overall lower risk of death (5% absolute difference) than was FAC (HR, 0.70; 98% CI, 0.53&#x02013;0.91; <i>P</i> &#x0003c; .008).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Anemia, neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, and infections were more common in the TAC group. No deaths were associated with infections in either group. (Refer to the PDQ summary on <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062734/">Fatigue</a> for information on anemia.)</div></li></ul></div></li></ol><p id="CDR0000062787__660">An Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group&#x02013;led intergroup trial (<a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=653683" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">E1199</a> [<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00004125" title="Study NCT00004125" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00004125</a>]) involving 4,950 patients compared, in a factorial design, two schedules (weekly and every 3 weeks) of the two drugs (docetaxel vs. paclitaxel) after standard-dose AC chemotherapy given every 3 weeks.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_89">89</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>] Study findings include the following:</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1324"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>There was no difference observed in the overall comparison with regard to DFS of docetaxel to paclitaxel (odds ratio [OR], 1.03; 95% CI, 0.91&#x02013;1.16; <i>P</i> = .61) or between the 1-week and 3-week schedules (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.94&#x02013;1.20; <i>P</i> = .33).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>There was a significant association between the drug administered and schedule for both DFS (0.003) and OS (0.01). Thus, compared with paclitaxel given every 3 weeks, paclitaxel given weekly improved both DFS (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.01&#x02013;1.57; <i>P</i> = .006) and OS (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.02&#x02013;1.72; <i>P</i> = .01).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Docetaxel given every 3 weeks was also superior in DFS to paclitaxel given every 3 weeks (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.00&#x02013;1.52; <i>P</i> = .02), but the difference was not statistically significant for OS (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.88&#x02013;1.46; <i>P</i> = .25).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Docetaxel given weekly was not superior to paclitaxel given every 3 weeks. There was no stated <i>a priori</i> basis for expecting that varying the schedule of administration would have opposite effects for the two drugs.</div></li></ul></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1043"><h5>Chemotherapy schedule: Dose-density</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__535">Historically, adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer was given on an every 3-week schedule. Studies sought to determine whether decreasing the duration between chemotherapy cycles could improve clinical outcomes. The overall results of these studies support the use of dose-dense chemotherapy for women with HER2-negative breast cancer. </p><p id="CDR0000062787__1194">Evidence (administration of dose-dense chemotherapy in women with HER2-negative breast cancer):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1195"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>A U.S. intergroup trial (<a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=65788" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">CLB-9741</a> [<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00003088" title="Study NCT00003088" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00003088</a>]) of 2,005 node-positive patients compared, in a 2 &#x000d7; 2 factorial design, the use of concurrent AC followed by paclitaxel with sequential doxorubicin, paclitaxel, and cyclophosphamide given every 2 weeks with filgrastim or every 3 weeks.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_90">90</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>] <ul id="CDR0000062787__1196"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>At a median follow-up of 68 months, dose-dense treatment improved DFS, the primary end point, in all patient populations (HR, 0.80; <i>P</i> =.018), but not OS (HR, 0.85; <i>P</i> =.12).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_91">91</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>There was no interaction between density and sequence.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Severe neutropenia was less frequent in patients who received the dose-dense regimens.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_92">92</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>An Italian trial (<a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=528056" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">NCT00433420</a>) compared two versus three weekly doses of epirubicin plus cyclophosphamide (with or without fluorouracil) in a factorial design, with a result similar to a U.S. intergroup trial; however, this trial also demonstrated a difference in OS.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_93">93</a>] <ul id="CDR0000062787__1604"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>For the dose-density comparison, DFS at 5 years was 81% (95% CI, 79&#x02013;84) in patients treated every 2 weeks and 76% (95% CI, 74&#x02013;79) in patients treated every 3 weeks (HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.65&#x02013;0.92; <i>P</i> = .004). </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>OS rates at 5 years were 94% (95% CI, 93&#x02013;96) and 89% (95% CI, 87&#x02013;91; HR, 0.65; 0.51&#x02013;0.84; <i>P</i> = .001).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_93">93</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>A meta-analysis of dose-dense versus standard dosing included data from eight trials including 17,188 patients.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_94">94</a>] <ul id="CDR0000062787__1197"><li class="half_rhythm"><div> The patients who received dose-dense chemotherapy had better OS (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.79&#x02013;0.93; <i>P</i> = .0001) and DFS (HR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.77&#x02013;0.91; <i>P</i> &#x0003c; .0001) than those on the conventional schedule. A statistically significant OS benefit was observed in patients with ER-negative tumors (HR, 0.8; <i>P</i> = .002) but not in those with ER-positive breast cancer (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.82&#x02013;1.05; <i>P</i> = .25). </div></li></ul></div></li></ol></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1044"><h5>Docetaxel and cyclophosphamide</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__1360">Docetaxel and cyclophosphamide is an acceptable adjuvant chemotherapy regimen.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1198">Evidence (docetaxel and cyclophosphamide):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1199"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The regimen of docetaxel and cyclophosphamide (TC) compared with AC (doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide) was studied in 1,016 women with stage I or stage II invasive breast cancer. Patients were randomly assigned to receive four cycles of either TC or AC as adjuvant postoperative therapy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_95">95</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_96">96</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>] <ol id="CDR0000062787__1325" class="lower-alpha"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>At 7 years, the DFS and OS demonstrated that four cycles of TC were superior to standard AC for both DFS and OS.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_96">96</a>] <ul id="CDR0000062787__1326"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>DFS was significantly superior for TC compared with AC (81% vs. 75%, HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.56&#x02013;0.98; <i>P</i> = .033). </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>OS was significantly superior for TC compared with AC (87% vs. 82%, HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.50&#x02013;0.97; <i>P</i> = .032).</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Patients had fewer cardiac-related toxic effects with TC than with AC, but they had more myalgia, arthralgia, edema, and febrile neutropenia.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_95">95</a>]</div></li></ol></div></li></ol></div><div id="CDR0000062787__267"><h5>Timing of postoperative chemotherapy</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__167">The optimal time to initiate adjuvant therapy is uncertain. A retrospective, observational study has reported the following:</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1327"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>A single-institution study of early-stage breast cancer patients diagnosed between 1997 and 2011 revealed that delays in initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy adversely affected survival outcomes.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_97">97</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335150/" class="def">Level of evidence: 3iiiA</a>] <ul id="CDR0000062787__1328"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Initiation of chemotherapy 61 days or more after surgery was associated with adverse outcomes among patients with stage II breast cancer (distant relapse-free survival [DRFS]: HR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.02&#x02013;1.43) and stage III breast cancer (OS: HR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.26&#x02013;2.46; RFS: HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.01&#x02013;1.76; and DRFS: HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.02&#x02013;1.80).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) tumors and those with HER2-positive tumors treated with trastuzumab who started chemotherapy 61 days or more after surgery had worse survival (TNBC: HR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.09&#x02013;2.18; HER2-positive: HR, 3.09; 95% CI, 1.49&#x02013;6.39) than did those who initiated treatment in the first 30 days after surgery.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Because of the weaknesses and limitations of this study design, the optimal time to initiate adjuvant chemotherapy remains uncertain.</div></li></ul></div></li></ol></div><div id="CDR0000062787__271"><h5>Toxic effects of chemotherapy
</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__177">Adjuvant chemotherapy is associated with several well-characterized toxic
effects that vary according to the individual drugs used in each regimen.
Common toxic effects include the following:</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1222"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Nausea and vomiting.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Myelosuppression.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Alopecia.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Mucositis. </div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__1223">Less common, but serious, toxic effects include the following: </p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1224"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Heart failure
(if an anthracycline is used).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Thromboembolic events.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_98">98</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Premature
menopause.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_99">99</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Second malignancy (leukemia).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_100">100</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_102">102</a>]</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__1225">
(Refer to the PDQ summary on <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062747/">Nausea and Vomiting</a>; for information on mucositis, refer to the PDQ summary on <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062870/">Oral Complications of Chemotherapy and Head/Neck Radiation</a>; for information on symptoms associated with premature menopause, refer to the PDQ summary on <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062742/">Hot Flashes and Night Sweats</a>.)</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1226">The use of anthracycline-containing regimens, however&#x02014;particularly those containing an increased dose of cyclophosphamide&#x02014;has been associated with a cumulative risk of developing acute leukemia of 0.2% to 1.7% at 5 years.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_100">100</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_101">101</a>] This risk increases to more than 4% in patients receiving high cumulative doses of both epirubicin (&#x0003e;720 mg/m<sup>2</sup>) and cyclophosphamide (&#x0003e;6,300 mg/m<sup>2</sup>).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_102">102</a>]</p><p id="CDR0000062787__459">Cognitive impairment has been reported to occur after the administration of some chemotherapy regimens.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_103">103</a>] However, data on this topic from prospective, randomized studies are lacking. </p><p id="CDR0000062787__178">The EBCTCG meta-analysis revealed that women who received adjuvant combination
chemotherapy did have a 20% (standard deviation = 10) reduction in the annual
odds of developing contralateral breast cancer.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_81">81</a>] This small proportional
reduction translated into an absolute benefit that was marginally
statistically significant, but indicated that chemotherapy did not increase
the risk of contralateral disease. In addition, the analysis showed no
statistically significant increase in deaths attributed to other cancers or to
vascular causes among all women randomly assigned to receive chemotherapy.</p></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1054"><h4>HER2/neu-negative breast cancer</h4><p id="CDR0000062787__852">For HER2/neu-negative breast cancer, there is no single adjuvant chemotherapy regimen that is considered standard or superior to another. Preferred regimen options vary by institution, geographic region, and clinician.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__566">Some of the most important data on the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy came from the EBCTCG, which reviews data from global breast cancer trials every 5 years. In the 2011 EBCTCG meta-analysis, adjuvant chemotherapy using an anthracycline-based regimen compared with no treatment revealed significant improvement in the risk of recurrence (RR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.68&#x02013;0.79), significant reduction in breast cancer mortality (RR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.72&#x02013;0.85), and significant reduction in overall mortality (RR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.78&#x02013;0.91), which translated into an absolute survival gain of 5%.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_104">104</a>]
</p><div id="CDR0000062787__1376"><h5>Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__1379">TNBC is defined as the absence of staining for ER, PR, and HER2/neu. TNBC is insensitive to some of the most effective therapies available for breast cancer treatment including HER2-directed therapy such as trastuzumab and endocrine therapies such as tamoxifen or the aromatase inhibitors. </p><div id="CDR0000062787__1329"><h5>Combination chemotherapy</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__1330">Combination cytotoxic chemotherapy administered in a dose-dense or metronomic schedule remains the standard therapy for early-stage TNBC.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_105">105</a>]</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1202">Evidence (neoadjuvant chemotherapy on a dose-dense or metronomic schedule for TNBC):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1203"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>A prospective analysis studied 1,118 patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy at a single institution, of whom 255 (23%) had TNBC.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_106">106</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000587990/" class="def">Level of evidence: 3iiDiv</a>] <ul id="CDR0000062787__1204"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The study observed that patients with TNBC had higher pathologic complete response (pCR) rates than did non-TNBC patients (22% vs. 11%; <i>P</i> = .034). Improved pCR rates may be important because in some studies, pCR is associated with improved long-term outcomes.</div></li></ul></div></li></ol></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1331"><h5>Platinum agents</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__1377">Platinum agents have emerged as drugs of interest for the treatment of TNBC. However, there is no established role for adding them to the treatment of early-stage TNBC outside of a clinical trial. One trial that treated 28 women with stage II or stage III TNBC with four cycles of neoadjuvant cisplatin resulted in a 22% pCR rate.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_107">107</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000587991/" class="def">Level of evidence: 3iiiDiv</a>] A randomized clinical trial, <a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=636850" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">CALGB-40603</a> (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00861705" title="Study NCT00861705" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00861705</a>), evaluated the benefit of carboplatin added to paclitaxel and doxorubicin plus cyclophosphamide chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant setting. The <a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=570887" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">Triple Negative Trial</a> (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00532727" title="Study NCT00532727" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00532727</a>) is evaluating carboplatin versus docetaxel in the metastatic setting. These trials will help to define the role of platinum agents for the treatment of TNBC. </p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1332"><h5>Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor agents</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__1378">The PARP inhibitors are being evaluated in clinical trials for patients with <i>BRCA</i> mutations and in TNBC.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_108">108</a>] PARPs are a family of enzymes involved in multiple cellular processes, including DNA repair. Because TNBC shares multiple clinicopathologic features with <i>BRCA</i>-mutated breast cancers, which harbor dysfunctional DNA repair mechanisms, it is possible that PARP inhibition, in conjunction with the loss of DNA repair via BRCA-dependent mechanisms, would result in synthetic lethality and augmented cell death. </p></div></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1055"><h4>HER2/neu-positive breast cancer</h4><p id="CDR0000062787__580"><b>Treatment options for HER2-positive early breast cancer:</b></p><p id="CDR0000062787__1205">Standard treatment for HER2-positive early breast cancer is 1 year of adjuvant trastuzumab therapy. </p><div id="CDR0000062787__1062"><h5>Trastuzumab</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__569">Several phase III clinical trials have addressed the role of the anti-HER2/neu antibody, trastuzumab, as adjuvant therapy for patients with HER2-overexpressing cancers. Study results confirm the benefit of 12 months of adjuvant trastuzumab therapy.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1206">Evidence (duration of trastuzumab therapy):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1207"><li class="half_rhythm"><div class="half_rhythm">The HERA (<a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=256320" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">BIG-01-01</a> [<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00045032" title="Study NCT00045032" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00045032</a>]) trial examined whether the administration of trastuzumab was effective as adjuvant treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer if used after completion of the primary treatment. For most patients, primary treatment consisted of an anthracycline-containing chemotherapy regimen given preoperatively or postoperatively, plus or minus locoregional radiation therapy. Trastuzumab was given every 3 weeks starting within 7 weeks of the completion of primary treatment.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_109">109</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>] Patients were randomly assigned to one of three study arms:<ul id="CDR0000062787__1367"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Observation (n = 1,693).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>1 year of trastuzumab (n = 1,694).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>2 years of trastuzumab (n = 1,694).</div></li></ul></div><div class="half_rhythm">Of the patients in the comparison of 1 year of trastuzumab versus observation group, the median age was 49 years, about 33% had node-negative disease, and nearly 50% had hormone receptor (ER and PR)&#x02013;negative disease.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_110">110</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_111">111</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]<ol id="CDR0000062787__1370" class="lower-alpha"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>One year of trastuzumab versus observation:<ul id="CDR0000062787__1371"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Patients who were treated with 1 year of trastuzumab experienced a 46% lower risk of a first event (HR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.43&#x02013;0.67; <i>P</i> &#x0003c; .001), corresponding to an absolute DFS benefit of 8.4% at 2 years (95% CI, 2.1&#x02013;14.8). The updated results at 23.5 months of follow-up showed an unadjusted HR for the risk of death with trastuzumab compared with observation of 0.66 (95% CI, 0.47&#x02013;0.91; <i>P</i> = .0115), corresponding to an absolute OS benefit of 2.7%.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_110">110</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>There were 218 DFS events reported in the trastuzumab group, compared with 321 DFS events reported in the observation group. The unadjusted HR for the risk of an event with trastuzumab was 0.64 (0.54&#x02013;0.76; <i>P</i> &#x0003c; .001), corresponding to an absolute DFS benefit of 6.3%.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_110">110</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The benefit of 1 year of trastuzumab over observation persisted, despite crossover of 52% of the patients on observation (HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.65&#x02013;0.88; <i>P </i> = .0005).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_111">111</a>]</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>One year versus 2 years of trastuzumab:<ul id="CDR0000062787__1372"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>After a median follow-up of 8 years, the results of the comparison of 1 year versus 2 years of trastuzumab were analyzed.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_111">111</a>] No difference in DFS was found between the groups (HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.85&#x02013;1.14; <i>P</i> = .86).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_111">111</a>]</div></li></ul></div></li></ol></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div class="half_rhythm">In the combined analysis of the <a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=651292" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">NSABP-B-31</a> (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00004067" title="Study NCT00004067" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00004067</a>) and intergroup <a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=67953" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">NCCTG-N9831</a> (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00005970" title="Study NCT00005970" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00005970</a>) trials, trastuzumab was given weekly, concurrently, or immediately after the paclitaxel component of the AC with paclitaxel regimen.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_112">112</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_113">113</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>] <ul id="CDR0000062787__1209"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The HERA results were confirmed in a joint analysis of the two studies, with a combined enrollment of 3,676 patients. A highly statistically significant improvement in DFS (HR, 0.48; <i>P</i> &#x0003c; .001; 3-year DFS, 87% vs. 75%) was observed, as was a significant improvement in OS (HR, 0.67; <i>P</i> = .015; 3-year OS, 94.3% in the trastuzumab group vs. 91.7% in the control group; 4-year OS, 91.4% in the trastuzumab group vs. 86.6% in the control group).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_112">112</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Patients treated with trastuzumab experienced a longer DFS, with a 52% lower risk of a DFS event (HR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.39&#x02013;0.59; <i>P</i> &#x0003c; .001), corresponding to an absolute difference in DFS of 11.8% at 3 years and 18% at 4 years. The risk of distant recurrence in patients treated with trastuzumab was 53% lower (HR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.37&#x02013;0.61; <i>P</i> &#x0003c; .001), and the risk of death was 33% lower (HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.48&#x02013;0.93; <i>P</i> = .015).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_112">112</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div> In an updated analysis with a median follow-up of 8.4 years, the addition of trastuzumab to chemotherapy led to a 37% relative improvement in OS (HR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.54&#x02013;0.73; <i>P</i> &#x0003c; .001) and an increase in the 10-year OS rate from 75.2% to 84%.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_114">114</a>] </div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div class="half_rhythm">In the <a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=662145" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">BCIRG-006</a> (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00021255" title="Study NCT00021255" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00021255</a>) trial, 3,222 women with early-stage HER2-overexpressing breast cancer were randomly assigned to receive AC followed by docetaxel (AC-T), AC followed by docetaxel plus trastuzumab (AC-T plus trastuzumab), or docetaxel, carboplatin, plus trastuzumab (TCH, a nonanthracycline-containing regimen).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_115">115</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of Evidence: 1iiA</a>] <ul id="CDR0000062787__1210"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>A significant DFS and OS benefit was seen in both groups treated with
trastuzumab compared with the control group that did not receive trastuzumab.
</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>For patients receiving AC-T plus trastuzumab, the 5-year DFS rate was 84% (HR for the comparison with AC-T, 0.64; <i>P</i> &#x0003c; .001), and the OS rate was 92% (HR, 0.63; <i>P</i> &#x0003c; .001). For patients receiving TCH, the 5-year DFS rate was 81% (HR, 0.75; <i>P</i> = .04), and the OS rate was 91% (HR, 0.77; <i>P</i> = .04).
The control group had a 5-year DFS rate of 75% and an OS rate of
87%.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The authors stated that there was no significant difference in DFS or OS between the two trastuzumab-containing regimens.
However, the study was not powered to detect equivalence between the two trastuzumab-containing regimens.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The rates of congestive heart failure (CHF) and cardiac dysfunction were significantly higher in the group receiving AC-T plus trastuzumab than in the TCH group (<i>P</i> &#x0003c; .001).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>These trial findings raise the question of whether anthracyclines are needed for the adjuvant treatment of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer. The group receiving AC-trastuzumab showed a small but not statistically significant benefit over TCH.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>This trial supports the use of TCH as an alternative adjuvant regimen for women with early-stage HER2-overexpressing breast cancer, particularly in those with concerns about cardiac toxic effects.</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div class="half_rhythm">The Finland Herceptin (FINHER) study assessed the impact of a much shorter course of trastuzumab. In this trial, 232 women younger than 67 years with node-positive or high-risk (&#x0003e;2 cm tumor size) node-negative HER2-overexpressing breast cancer were given nine weekly infusions of trastuzumab concurrently with docetaxel or vinorelbine followed by FEC.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_116">116</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1214"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>At a 3-year median follow-up, the risk of recurrence and/or death was significantly reduced in patients receiving trastuzumab (HR, 0.41; <i>P</i> = .01; 95% CI, 0.21&#x02013;0.83; 3-year DFS, 89% vs. 78%).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The difference in OS (HR, 0.41) was not statistically significant (<i>P</i> = .07; 95% CI, 0.16&#x02013;1.08).</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div class="half_rhythm">In contrast, another study failed to demonstrate that 6 months of adjuvant trastuzumab was noninferior to 12 months of treatment.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_117">117</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1216"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>A 2-year DFS rate was 93.8% (95% CI, 92.6&#x02013;94.9) in the 12-month group and 91.1% (89.7&#x02013;92.4) in the 6-month group (HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.05&#x02013;1.56; noninferiority, <i>P</i> = .29). </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Therefore, 12 months should remain the standard duration of trastuzumab adjuvant therapy.</div></li></ul></div></li></ol><p id="CDR0000062787__943">A number of studies have evaluated the use of subcutaneous (SQ) trastuzumab in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings.</p><div id="CDR0000062787__1048"><h5>Cardiac toxic effects with adjuvant trastuzumab</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__1217">Cardiac events associated with adjuvant trastuzumab have been reported in multiple studies. Key study results include the following:</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1218"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In the HERA (<a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=256320" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">BIG-01-01</a>) trial, severe CHF (New York Heart Association class III&#x02013;IV) occurred in 0.6% of patients treated with trastuzumab.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_109">109</a>] Symptomatic CHF occurred in 1.7% of patients in the trastuzumab arm and 0.06% of patients in the observation arm.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In the <a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=651292" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">NSABP B-31</a> (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00004067" title="Study NCT00004067" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00004067</a>) trial, 31 of 850 patients in the trastuzumab arm had confirmed symptomatic cardiac events, compared with 5 of 814 patients in the control arm.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_118">118</a>] The 3-year cumulative incidence of cardiac events for trastuzumab-treated patients was 4.1%, compared with 0.8% of patients in the control arm (95% CI, 1.7%&#x02013;4.9%).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In the <a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=67953" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">NCCTG-N9831</a> trial, 39 cardiac events were reported in the three arms over a 3-year period. The 3-year cumulative incidence of cardiac events was 0.35% in arm A (no trastuzumab), 3.5% in arm B (trastuzumab after paclitaxel), and 2.5% in arm C, (trastuzumab concomitant with paclitaxel).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In the<a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=68763" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri"> AVENTIS-TAX-GMA-302</a> (BCIRG 006) (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00021255" title="Study NCT00021255" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00021255</a>) trial, clinically symptomatic cardiac events were detected in 0.38% of patients in the AC/docetaxel (AC-D) arm, 1.87% of patients in the AC/docetaxel/trastuzumab (AC-DH) arm, and 0.37% of patients in the docetaxel/carboplatin/trastuzumab (DCbH) arm.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_119">119</a>] There was also a statistically significant higher incidence of asymptomatic and persistent decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in the AC-DH arm than with either the AC-D or DCbH arms.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In the FINHER trial, none of the patients who received trastuzumab experienced clinically significant cardiac events. LVEF was preserved in all of the women receiving trastuzumab, but the number of patients receiving adjuvant trastuzumab was very low.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_116">116</a>]</div></li></ul></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1047"><h5>Lapatinib</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__814">Lapatinib is a small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is capable of dual-receptor inhibition of both epidermal growth factor receptor and HER2. There are no data supporting the use of lapatinib as part of adjuvant treatment of early-stage HER2/neu-positive breast cancer.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1219">Evidence (against the use of lapatinib for HER2 positive early breast cancer):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1220"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In the Adjuvant Lapatinib and/or Trastuzumab Treatment Optimization trial (<a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=576608" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">ALTTO</a> [<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00553358" title="Study NCT00553358" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00553358</a>]), the role of lapatinib (in combination with, in sequence to, in comparison with, or as an alternative to trastuzumab) in the adjuvant setting was investigated.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_120">120</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1221"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In the primary analysis, at the median follow-up of 4.5 years (range, 1 day&#x02013;6.4 years), a 16% reduction in the HR for DFS was observed in the lapatinib-plus-trastuzumab arm compared with the trastuzumab-alone arm (555 DFS events; HR, 0.84; 97.5% CI, 0.70&#x02013;1.02; <i>P</i> = .048), which was not statistically significant at the .025 significance level. </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The HR for DFS for the superiority comparison of trastuzumab to lapatinib versus trastuzumab alone in the intention-to-treat population was 0.96 (97.5% CI, 0.80&#x02013;1.15; <i>P</i> = .61). </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The 4-year OS was 95% for the lapatinib-plus-trastuzumab arm, 95% for the trastuzumab-to-lapatinib arm, and 94% for the trastuzumab-alone arm. The HR for OS was 0.80 (95% CI, 0.62&#x02013;1.03; <i>P</i> = .078) for the comparison of lapatinib plus trastuzumab versus trastuzumab alone and 0.91 (95% CI, 0.71&#x02013;1.16; <i>P</i> = .433) for the comparison of trastuzumab to lapatinib versus trastuzumab alone. </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The lapatinib-versus-trastuzumab component of the study was closed because, at interim analysis, the HR for DFS was 1.52 in favor of trastuzumab alone and noninferiority was excluded.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Combination therapy with lapatinib and trastuzumab also resulted in worsened grade 3 diarrhea (15% vs. 1%), grade 3 rash (5% vs. 1%), and grade 3 hepatobiliary adverse events (3% vs. 1%) compared with trastuzumab alone.</div></li></ul></div></li></ol></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1028"><h4>Hormone receptor&#x02013;positive breast cancer</h4><p id="CDR0000062787__1363">Much of the evidence presented in the following sections on therapy for women with hormone receptor&#x02013;positive disease has been considered in an American Society of Clinical Oncology guideline that describes several options for the management of these patients.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_121">121</a>]</p><div id="CDR0000062787__1029"><h5>Tamoxifen</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__1227">Tamoxifen has been shown to be of benefit to women with hormone receptor&#x02013;positive breast cancer.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1228">Evidence (tamoxifen for hormone receptor&#x02013;positive early breast cancer):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1229"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The EBCTCG performed a meta-analysis of systemic treatment of early breast
cancer by hormone, cytotoxic, or biologic therapy methods in randomized trials
involving 144,939 women with stage I or stage II breast cancer. An analysis published in 2005 included information on 80,273 women in 71 trials of adjuvant tamoxifen.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_80">80</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1230"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In this analysis, the benefit of
tamoxifen was found to be restricted to women with hormone receptor&#x02013;positive or hormone receptor&#x02013;unknown
breast tumors. In these women, the 15-year absolute reduction associated with 5 years of use was 12% for
recurrence and 9% for mortality.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Allocation to approximately 5 years of adjuvant tamoxifen reduces the annual breast cancer death rate by 31%, largely irrespective of the use of chemotherapy and of age (&#x0003c;50 years, 50&#x02013;69 years, &#x02265;70 years), PR status, or other tumor characteristics.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The meta-analysis also confirmed the benefit of adjuvant
tamoxifen in hormone receptor&#x02013;positive premenopausal women. Women younger than 50 years obtained a degree of benefit from 5 years of tamoxifen similar to that
obtained by older women. In addition, the proportional reductions in both
recurrence and mortality associated with tamoxifen use were similar in women
with either node-negative or node-positive breast cancer, but the absolute
improvement in survival at 10 years was greater in the node-positive breast cancer group (5.3%
vs. 12.5% with 5 years of use).</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Similar results were found in the IBCSG-13-93 trial.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_122">122</a>] Of 1,246 women with stage II disease, only the women with hormone receptor&#x02013;positive disease benefited from tamoxifen.
</div></li></ol><p id="CDR0000062787__1231">The optimal duration of tamoxifen use has been addressed by the EBCTCG
meta-analysis and by several large randomized trials.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_80">80</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_123">123</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_126">126</a>] Ten years of tamoxifen therapy has been shown to be superior to shorter durations of tamoxifen therapy.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1232">Evidence (duration of tamoxifen therapy):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1233"><li class="half_rhythm"><div class="half_rhythm">The EBCTCG
meta-analysis demonstrated that 5 years of tamoxifen was superior to shorter durations. The following results were reported:[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_80">80</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1234"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>A highly significant advantage of 5 years versus 1 to 2 years of tamoxifen with respect to the risk of recurrence (proportionate reduction, 15.2%; <i>P</i> &#x0003c;.001) and a less significant advantage with respect to mortality (proportionate reduction, 7.9%; <i>P</i> = .01) was observed.</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div class="half_rhythm">Long-term follow-up of the Adjuvant Tamoxifen Longer Against Shorter (<a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=65596" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">ATLAS</a> [<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00003016" title="Study NCT00003016" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00003016</a>]) trial demonstrated that 10 years of tamoxifen therapy was superior to 5 years of tamoxifen therapy. Between 1996 and 2005, 12,894 women with early breast cancer were randomly assigned to 10 years or 5 years of tamoxifen therapy. The following results were reported:[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_126">126</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of Evidence: 1iiA</a>]<ol id="CDR0000062787__1713" class="lower-alpha"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Study results revealed that 10 years of tamoxifen reduced the risk of breast cancer recurrence (617 recurrences for 10 years of tamoxifen vs. 711 recurrences for 5 years of tamoxifen; <i>P </i>= .002), reduced breast-cancer mortality (331 deaths for 10 years of tamoxifen vs. 397 deaths for 5 years of tamoxifen; </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><i>P</i> = .01), and reduced overall mortality (639 deaths for 10 years of tamoxifen vs. 722 deaths for 5 years of tamoxifen; <i>P</i> = .01).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Of note, from the time of the original breast cancer diagnosis, the benefits of 10 years of therapy were less extreme before than after year 10. At 15 years from the time of diagnosis, breast cancer mortality was 15% at 10 years and 12.2% at 5 years.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Compared with 5 years, 10 years of tamoxifen therapy increased the risk of the following:<ul id="CDR0000062787__1714"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Pulmonary embolus RR, 1.87; (95% CI, 1.13&#x02013;3.07; <i>P </i>= .01). </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Stroke RR, 1.06; (0.83&#x02013;1.36).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Ischemic heart disease RR, 0.76; (0.6&#x02013;0.95; <i>P</i> = .02).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Endometrial cancer RR, 1.74; (1.30&#x02013;2.34; <i>P</i> = .0002). Notably, the cumulative risk of endometrial cancer during years 5 to 14 from breast cancer diagnosis was 3.1% for women who received 10 years of tamoxifen versus 1.6% for women who received 5 years of tamoxifen. The mortality for years 5 to 14 was 12.2 versus 15 for an absolute mortality reduction of 2.8%.</div></li></ul></div></li></ol></div><div class="half_rhythm">The results of the ATLAS trial indicated that for women who remained premenopausal after 5 years of adjuvant tamoxifen, continued tamoxifen for 5 more years was beneficial.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_126">126</a>] Women who have become menopausal after 5 years of tamoxifen may also be treated with AI. (Refer to the <a href="#CDR0000062787__1034">Aromatase inhibitors</a> section in the <a href="#CDR0000062787__1028">Hormone&#x02013;receptor positive therapy</a> section of this summary for more information.) </div></li></ol><div id="CDR0000062787__1030"><h5>Tamoxifen and chemotherapy</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__1091">Based on the results of an EBCTCG analysis, the use of tamoxifen in women who received adjuvant chemotherapy does not attenuate the benefit of chemotherapy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_80">80</a>] However, concurrent use of tamoxifen with chemotherapy is less effective than sequential administration.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_127">127</a>]</p></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1032"><h5>Ovarian ablation, tamoxifen, and chemotherapy</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__1354">Evidence suggests ovarian ablation alone is not an effective substitute for other systemic therapies.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_128">128</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_132">132</a>] Further, the addition of ovarian ablation to chemotherapy and/or tamoxifen has not been found to significantly improve outcomes.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_130">130</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_132">132</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_135">135</a>] </p><p id="CDR0000062787__1355">Evidence (tamoxifen plus ovarian suppression):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1356"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The largest study (<a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=316456" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">SOFT</a> [<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00066690" title="Study NCT00066690" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00066690</a>]) to examine the addition of ovarian ablation to tamoxifen with or without chemotherapy randomly assigned 2,033 premenopausal women (53% of whom had received previous chemotherapy) to tamoxifen or tamoxifen plus ovarian suppression with triptorelin or ablation with surgery or radiation therapy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_136">136</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335129/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiDii</a>]<ol id="CDR0000062787__1364" class="lower-alpha"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Overall, there was no significant difference in the primary outcome, DFS, (HR 0.83; 95% CI, 0.66&#x02013;1.04; <i>P</i> = .10); 5-year DFS was 86% in the tamoxifen plus ovarian suppression group versus 84.7% in the tamoxifen alone group.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The authors also reported results from two secondary analyses. <ul id="CDR0000062787__1365"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model, the tamoxifen plus ovarian suppression arm was statistically superior to the tamoxifen alone arm with respect to DFS (HR 0.78; 95% CI, 0.62&#x02013;0.98; <i>P</i> = .03), but the variables included in this analysis were not stated to be prespecified. </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In a subgroup analysis addressing a secondary endpoint (OS), patients who had previously received chemotherapy were found to have a significantly better outcome if they received tamoxifen plus ovarian ablation (interaction <i>P</i> = .03). </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The <i>P</i> values in these two secondary analyses were not corrected for multiple comparisons.</div></li></ul></div></li></ol></div></li></ol></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1034"><h5>Aromatase inhibitors (AI)</h5><div id="CDR0000062787__1609"><h5>Premenopausal women</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__1610">AI have been compared with tamoxifen in premenopausal women in whom ovarian function was suppressed or ablated. The results of these studies have been conflicting.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1611">Evidence (comparison of an AI with tamoxifen in premenopausal women):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1612"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In one study (<a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=471804" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">NCT00295646</a>), 1,803 women who received goserelin were randomly assigned to a 2 &#x000d7; 2 factorial design trial that compared anastrozole and tamoxifen, with or without zoledronic acid.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_137">137</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1613"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>At a median follow-up of 62 months, there was no difference in DFS (HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.81&#x02013;1.44; <i>P</i> = .59).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>OS was superior with tamoxifen (HR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.08&#x02013;2.83; <i>P</i> = .02).</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Exemestane has also been compared with tamoxifen in premenopausal women who underwent ovarian ablation in an unblinded study (<a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=316458" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">NCT00066703</a>) that enrolled 4,690 women.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_138">138</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335123/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iDii</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1614"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The use of exemestane resulted in a significant difference in DFS (HR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.60&#x02013;0.85; <i>P</i> &#x0003c; .001; 5-year DFS, 91.1% in the exemestane-ovarian suppression group vs. 87.3% in the tamoxifen-ovarian suppression group).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>No difference in OS (HR, 1.14 for death in the exemestane-ovarian suppression group; 95% CI, 0.86&#x02013;1.51; <i>P</i> = .37; 5-year OS, 95.9% in the exemestane-ovarian suppression group vs. 96.9% in the tamoxifen-ovarian suppression group) was reported.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_138">138</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>] </div></li></ul></div></li></ol></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1615"><h5>Postmenopausal women</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__1616">In postmenopausal women, the use of AI in sequence with or as a substitute for tamoxifen has been the subject of multiple studies, the results of which have been summarized in an individual patient-level meta-analysis.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_139">139</a>] </p><div id="CDR0000062787__1617"><h5>Initial therapy</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__1623">Evidence (AI vs. tamoxifen as initial therapy in postmenopausal women):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1618"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>A large, randomized trial of 9,366 patients compared the use of the AI anastrozole and the combination of anastrozole and tamoxifen with tamoxifen alone as adjuvant therapy for postmenopausal patients with node-negative or node-positive disease. Most (84%) of the patients in the study were hormone&#x02013;receptor positive. Slightly more than 20% had received chemotherapy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_140">140</a>]; [<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_141">141</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335123/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iDii</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1624"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>With a median follow-up of 33.3 months, no benefit in DFS was observed for the combination arm relative to tamoxifen alone.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_140">140</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Patients on anastrozole, however, had a significantly longer DFS (HR, 0.83) than those on tamoxifen. In an analysis conducted after a median follow-up of 100 months among hormone receptor&#x02013;positive patients, DFS was significantly (<i>P</i> = .003) longer in patients on anastrozole (HR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.76&#x02013;0.94), but OS was not improved (HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.86&#x02013;1.11; <i>P</i> = .7).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_141">141</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Patients on tamoxifen more frequently developed endometrial cancer and cerebrovascular accidents, whereas patients on anastrozole had more fracture episodes. The frequency of myocardial infarction was similar in both groups. Except for a continued increased frequency of endometrial cancer in the tamoxifen group, these differences did not persist in the posttreatment period.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_141">141</a>]</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>A large, double-blinded, randomized trial of 8,010 postmenopausal women with hormone receptor&#x02013;positive breast cancer compared the use of letrozole with tamoxifen given continuously for 5 years or with crossover to the alternate drug at 2 years.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_142">142</a>] An updated analysis from the Breast International Group (<a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=67451" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">IBCSG-1-98</a> [<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00004205" title="Study NCT00004205" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00004205</a>]) reported results on the 4,922 women who received tamoxifen or letrozole for 5 years at a median follow-up of 51 months.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_143">143</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335123/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iDii</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1625"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>DFS was significantly superior in patients treated with letrozole (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.71&#x02013;0.95; <i>P </i>= .007; 5-year DFS, 84.0% vs. 81.1%).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>OS was not significantly different in patients treated with letrozole (HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.75&#x02013;1.11; <i>P</i> = .35). </div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In the meta-analysis, which included 9,885 women from multiple trials, the 10-year recurrence risk was 19.1% in the AI group versus 22.7% in the tamoxifen group (RR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.73&#x02013;0.88; <i>P</i> &#x0003c; .001). The overall 10-year mortality rate was also reduced from 24.0% to 21.3%. (RR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.8&#x02013;0.97; <i>P</i> = .01).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_139">139</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000659430/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1A</a>]</div></li></ol></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1098"><h5>Sequential tamoxifen and AI versus 5 years of tamoxifen</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__1099">Several trials and meta-analyses have examined the effect of switching to anastrozole or exemestane to complete a total of 5 years of therapy after 2 to 3 years of tamoxifen.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_144">144</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_146">146</a>] The evidence, as described below, indicates that sequential tamoxifen and AI is superior to remaining on tamoxifen for 5 years.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1250">Evidence (sequential tamoxifen and AI vs. 5 years of tamoxifen):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1251"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Two trials carried out in sequence by the same group enrolled a total of 828 patients and were reported together; one trial used aminoglutethimide as the AI, and the other trial used anastrozole. After a median follow-up of 78 months, an improvement in all-cause mortality (HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.42&#x02013;0.88; <i>P</i> = .007) was observed in the AI groups.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_146">146</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Two other trials were reported together.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_145">145</a>] A total of 3,224 patients were randomly assigned after 2 years of tamoxifen to continue tamoxifen for a total of 5 years or to take anastrozole for 3 years. There was a significant difference in event-free survival (EFS) (HR, 0.80; 95% CI, <i>P</i> = .0009), but not in OS (5-year OS, 97% for the switched arm vs. 96% for the tamoxifen-alone arm; <i>P</i> = .16).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_146">146</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335123/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iDii</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>A large, double-blinded, randomized trial (<a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=66434" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">EORTC-10967</a> [ICCG-96OEXE031-C1396-BIG9702]) (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00003418" title="Study NCT00003418" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00003418</a>) of 4,742 patients compared continuing tamoxifen with switching to exemestane for a total of 5 years of therapy in women who had received 2 to 3 years of tamoxifen.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_147">147</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335123/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iDii</a>] <ul id="CDR0000062787__1253"><li class="half_rhythm"><div> After the second planned interim analysis, when median follow-up for patients on the study was 30.6 months, the results were released because of a highly significant (<i>P</i> &#x0003c; .005) difference in DFS (HR, 0.68) favoring the exemestane arm.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_147">147</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>After a median follow-up of 55.7 months, the HR for DFS was 0.76 (95% CI, 0.66&#x02013;0.88; <i>P</i> = .001) in favor of exemestane.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_148">148</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335106/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iA</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>At 2.5 years after random assignment, 3.3% fewer patients on exemestane had developed a DFS event (95% CI, 1.6&#x02013;4.9). The HR for OS was 0.85 (95% CI, 0.7&#x02013;1.02; <i>P</i> = .08).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_148">148</a>]</div></li></ul></div></li></ol><p id="CDR0000062787__1626">In the meta-analysis, which included 11,798 patients from six trials, the 10-year recurrence rate was reduced from 19% to 17% in the AI-containing groups (RR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.75&#x02013;0.91; <i>P</i> = .0001). The overall 10-year mortality was 17.5% in the tamoxifen group and 14.6% in the AI-containing group (RR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.73&#x02013;0.91; <i>P</i> = .0002).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_139">139</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000659430/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1A</a>] </p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1103"><h5>Sequential tamoxifen and AI for 5 years versus 5 years of an AI</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__1359">The evidence indicates there is no benefit to the sequential use of tamoxifen and an AI for 5 years over 5 years of an AI.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1256">Evidence (sequential use of tamoxifen and an AI vs. 5 years of an AI):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1257"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>A large, randomized trial of 9,779 patients compared DFS of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor&#x02013;positive breast cancer between initial treatment with sequential tamoxifen for 2.5 to 3 years followed by exemestane for a total of 5 years versus exemestane alone for 5 years. The primary endpoints were DFS at 2.75 years and 5.0 years.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_149">149</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335123/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iDii</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1258"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Five-year DFS was 85% in the sequential group and 86% in the exemestane-alone group (HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.88&#x02013;1.08; <i>P</i> = .60).</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Similarly in the <a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=67451" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">IBCSG 1-98</a> (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00004205" title="Study NCT00004205" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00004205</a>) trial, two sequential arms were compared with 5 years of letrozole.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_150">150</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335123/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iDii</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1259"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>There was no difference in DFS when the two sequential arms were compared with 5 years of letrozole (letrozole to tamoxifen HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.91&#x02013;1.23; <i>P</i> = .45 and tamoxifen to letrozole HR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.92&#x02013;1.25; <i>P</i> = .36).</div></li></ul></div></li></ol><p id="CDR0000062787__1627">In the meta-analysis, which included 12,779 patients from the trials, the 7-year recurrence rate was slightly reduced from 14.5% to 13.8% in the groups that received 5 years of an AI (RR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.81&#x02013;0.99; <i>P</i> = .045). Overall mortality at 7 years was 9.3% in the tamoxifen-followed-by-AI groups and 8.2% in the AI-alone groups (RR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.78&#x02013;1.03; <i>P</i> = .11).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_139">139</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000659430/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1A</a>]</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1619"><h5>One AI versus another for 5 years</h5><ol id="CDR0000062787__1620"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The mild androgen activity of exemestane prompted a randomized trial that evaluated whether exemestane might be preferable to anastrozole, in terms of its efficacy (i.e., EFS) and toxicity, as upfront therapy for postmenopausal women diagnosed with hormone receptor&#x02013;positive breast cancer.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_151">151</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>] The <a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=652031" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">MA27</a> (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00066573" title="Study NCT00066573" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00066573</a>) trial randomly assigned 7,576 postmenopausal women to receive 5 years of anastrozole or exemestane.<ul id="CDR0000062787__1621"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>At a median follow-up of 4.1 years, no difference in efficacy was seen (HR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.87&#x02013;1.18; <i>P</i> = .86).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_151">151</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000632558/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiD</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The two therapies also were not significantly different in terms of impact on bone mineral density or fracture rates.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_152">152</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000632558/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiD</a>]</div></li></ul></div></li></ol></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1106"><h5>Switching to an AI after 5 years of tamoxifen</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__1260">The evidence, as described below, indicates that switching to an AI after 5 years of tamoxifen is superior to stopping tamoxifen at that time.</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1261"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>
A large, double-blinded, randomized trial (<a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=65921" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">CAN-NCIC-MA17</a> [<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00003140" title="Study NCT00003140" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00003140</a>]) of 5,187 patients compared the use of letrozole versus placebo in receptor-positive postmenopausal women who received tamoxifen for approximately 5 (4.5&#x02013;6.0) years.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_153">153</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335123/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iDii</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1262"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>After the first planned interim analysis, when median follow-up for patients on study was 2.4 years, the results were unblinded because of a highly significant (<i>P</i> &#x0003c; .008) difference in DFS (HR, 0.57) favoring the letrozole arm.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_153">153</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>After 3 years of follow-up, 4.8% of the women on the letrozole arm had developed recurrent disease or new primaries versus 9.8% on the placebo arm (95% CI for the difference, 2.7%&#x02013;7.3%). Because of the early unblinding of the study, longer-term comparative data on the risks and benefits of letrozole in this setting will not be available.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_154">154</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_155">155</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>An updated analysis including all events before unblinding confirmed the results of the interim analysis.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_156">156</a>] In addition, a statistically significant improvement in distant DFS was found for patients on letrozole (HR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.43&#x02013;0.84; <i>P</i> = .002). Although no statistically significant difference was found in the total study population, the node-positive patients on letrozole also experienced a statistically significant improvement in OS (HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.38&#x02013;0.98; <i>P</i> = .04), although the <i>P</i> value was not corrected for multiple comparisons.</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The <a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=651295" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">NSABP B-33</a> (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00016432" title="Study NCT00016432" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00016432</a>) trial that was designed to compare 5 years of exemestane with placebo after 5 years of tamoxifen was stopped prematurely when the results of <a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=65921" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">CAN-NCIC-MA17</a> became available. At the time of analysis, 560 of the 783 patients who were randomly assigned to exemestane remained on that drug and 344 of the 779 patients who were randomly assigned to receive placebo had crossed over to exemestane.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_157">157</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335123/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iDii</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1263"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>An intent-to-treat analysis of the primary study endpoint (DFS) demonstrated a nonsignificant benefit of exemestane (HR, 0.68; <i>P</i> = .07).</div></li></ul></div></li></ol></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1109"><h5>Duration of AI therapy</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__1658">Evidence (additional 5 years of letrozole vs. placebo):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1659"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>A double-blind, randomized trial assessed the effect of an additional 5 years of letrozole versus placebo in 1,918 women who had received 5 years of an AI.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_158">158</a>] Patients who received previous tamoxifen therapy were included. The majority of women on the study (70.6%) had received 4.5 to 6 years of adjuvant tamoxifen, but a significant proportion of them (20.7%) had been treated initially with an AI.<ol id="CDR0000062787__1660" class="lower-alpha"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>At a median follow-up of 6.3 years, DFS, the primary study endpoint, was significantly improved in patients randomly assigned to letrozole (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.48&#x02013;0.91; <i>P</i> = .01) and 5-year DFS was improved from 91% to 95%.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_158">158</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335123/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iDii</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div> OS rates showed no difference (HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.73&#x02013;1.28; <i>P</i> = .83). Some patients on letrozole had fractures (14%) compared with the patients on placebo with fractures (9%) (<i>P</i> = .001).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>QOL was assessed with the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Menopause-Specific QOL (MENQOL) instruments. More than 85% of participants completed yearly assessments over a 5-year period. <ul id="CDR0000062787__1661"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>No between-group differences were found on the four MENQOL subscales or on the SF-36 summary score. </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>SF-36 role-emotional and bodily pain scores were statistically significantly worse (<i>P</i> = .03) among patients receiving letrozole, but the differences observed were fewer than the minimum clinically important differences for the SF-36 instrument.</div></li></ul></div></li></ol></div></li></ol></div></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1045"><h4>Bisphosphonates</h4><p id="CDR0000062787__754">The role of bisphosphonates as part of adjuvant therapy for early-stage breast cancer is unclear. </p><p id="CDR0000062787__1264">Evidence (bisphosphonates in the treatment of early breast cancer):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1628"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>A meta-analysis has been conducted that included the individual patient data of 18,766 patients from 26 adjuvant trials of bisphosphonates of any type.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_159">159</a>] Overall, reductions associated with bisphosphonate use in recurrence (RR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.87&#x02013;1.01; 2<i>P</i> = .08), distant recurrence (RR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.85&#x02013;0.99; 2<i>P</i> = .03), and breast cancer mortality (RR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.83&#x02013;0.99; 2<i>P</i> = .04) were of only borderline significance, but the reduction in bone recurrence was more definite (RR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73&#x02013;0.94; 2<i>P</i> = .004). <ul id="CDR0000062787__1629"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In a prespecified subgroup analysis, among premenopausal women, treatment had no apparent effect on any outcome, but among 11,767 postmenopausal women, it produced highly significant reductions in recurrence (RR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.78&#x02013;0.94; 2<i>P</i> = .002), distant recurrence (RR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.74&#x02013;0.92; 2<i>P</i> = .0003), bone recurrence (RR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.60&#x02013;0.86; 2<i>P</i> = .0002), and breast cancer mortality (RR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.73&#x02013;0.93; 2<i>P</i> = .002).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_159">159</a>]</div></li></ul></div></li></ol><p id="CDR0000062787__805">An ongoing phase III trial (<a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=667050" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">NCT01077154</a>) is examining the activity of the bone-modifying agent, denosumab, in stage II and stage III breast cancer.</p></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1049"><h3>Preoperative Systemic Therapy</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__1111">Preoperative chemotherapy, also known as primary or neoadjuvant chemotherapy, has traditionally been administered in patients with locally advanced breast cancer in an attempt to reduce tumor volume and allow for definitive surgery. In addition, preoperative chemotherapy is being used for patients with primary operable stage II or stage III breast cancer. A meta-analysis of multiple randomized clinical trials has demonstrated that preoperative chemotherapy is associated with identical DFS and OS compared with the administration of the same therapy in the adjuvant setting.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_160">160</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>] Current consensus opinion for use of preoperative chemotherapy recommends anthracycline- and taxane-based therapy, and prospective trials suggest that preoperative anthracycline- and taxane-based therapy is associated with higher response rates than alternative regimens (e.g., anthracycline alone).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_161">161</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_162">162</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000587983/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiDiv</a>]</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1112">A potential advantage of preoperative systemic therapy is the increased likelihood of success with
definitive local therapy in those presenting with locally-advanced, unresectable disease. It may also offer benefit to carefully selected patients with primary operable disease by enhancing the likelihood of breast conservation, and providing prognostic information where pCR is obtained. In these cases, a patient can be informed that there is a very low risk of recurrence compared with a situation in which a large amount of residual disease remains.
</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1662">pCR has been utilized as a surrogate endpoint for long-term outcomes, such as DFS, EFS, and OS, in preoperative clinical trials in breast cancer. A pooled analysis (CTNeoBC) of 11 preoperative randomized trials (n = 11,955) determined that pCR, defined as no residual invasive cancer in the breast and axillary nodes with presence or absence of <i>in situ</i> cancer (ypT0/is ypN0 or ypT0 ypN0), provided a better association with improved outcomes compared with eradication of invasive tumor from the breast alone (ypT0/is).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_163">163</a>] pCR could not be validated in this study as a surrogate endpoint for improved EFS and OS.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_163">163</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000593395/" class="def">Level of evidence: 3iiiD</a>] However, on the basis of a strong association of pCR with substantially improved outcomes in individual patients with more aggressive subtypes of breast cancer, the FDA has supported use of pCR as an endpoint in preoperative clinical trials for patients with high-risk, early-stage breast cancer.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1663">Postoperative radiation therapy may also be omitted in a patient with histologically negative axillary nodes after preoperative therapy, irrespective of lymph node status before preoperative therapy, allowing for tailoring of treatment to the individual.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1380">Potential disadvantages with this approach include the inability to determine an accurate pathological stage after preoperative chemotherapy. However, the knowledge of the presence of residual disease may provide more personalized prognostic information, as noted above.</p><div id="CDR0000062787__1381"><h4>Patient selection, staging, treatment, and follow-up</h4><p id="CDR0000062787__1382">Multidisciplinary management of patients undergoing preoperative therapy by an experienced team is essential to optimize the following:</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1269"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Patient selection.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Choice of systemic therapy.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Management of the axilla and surgical approach.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Decision to administer adjuvant radiation therapy. </div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__1270">The tumor histology, grade, and receptor status are carefully evaluated before preoperative therapy is initiated. Patients whose tumors have a pure lobular histology, low grade, or high hormone&#x02013;receptor expression and HER2-negative status are less likely to respond to chemotherapy and should be considered for primary surgery, especially when the nodes are clinically negative. Even if adjuvant chemotherapy is administered after surgery in these cases, a third-generation regimen (anthracycline/taxane based) may be avoided.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1116">Before beginning preoperative therapy, the extent of the disease within the breast and regional lymph nodes should be assessed. Staging of systemic disease may include the following:[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_164">164</a>] </p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1271"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>CT scan of the chest and abdomen and a bone scan.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Positron-emission tomography.</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__1272">Baseline breast imaging is performed when breast-conserving therapy is desired to identify the tumor location and exclude multicentric disease. Suspicious abnormalities are usually biopsied before beginning treatment and a marker placed at the center of the breast tumor(s). When possible, suspicious axillary nodes may be biopsied before initiation of systemic treatment.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1117">The optimal timing of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy has not been established in patients receiving preoperative therapy. The following points should be considered:</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1273"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>If suspicious nodes are positive for malignancy at baseline, an SLN biopsy may be performed after preoperative therapy but is associated with a high false-negative rate. If the procedure is performed with both radiocolloid and blue dye and at least two nodes are sampled (provides 10.8% false-negative rate) and are negative, then axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) may be omitted.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_165">165</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000587988/" class="def">Level of evidence: 2Div</a>]; [<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_166">166</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000716085/" class="def">Level of evidence: 3iiD</a>]; [<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_167">167</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000587990/" class="def">Level of evidence: 3iiDiv</a>] Alternatively, it is acceptable in this circumstance to perform ALND based on the possibility of undetected positive nodes.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In patients with clinically negative nodes, SLN biopsy may be performed before preoperative therapy because of the false-negative rates observed when performed after preoperative therapy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_168">168</a>] If the SLN biopsy is negative, ALND can be omitted.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>If SLN biopsy is performed after preoperative chemotherapy, the baseline clinical and postchemotherapy pathological nodal status should be taken into consideration when deciding whether ALND is necessary. ALND is usually performed in the setting of node-positivity.</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__1274">When considering preoperative therapy, treatment options include the following:</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1275"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>For HER2-negative breast tumors, an anthracycline-taxane based chemotherapy regimen. </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>For HER2-positive disease, chemotherapy and HER2-targeted therapy.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Ideally, the entire treatment regimen is administered before surgery. </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>For postmenopausal women with hormone receptor&#x02013;positive breast cancer, chemotherapy is an option. For those who cannot be given chemotherapy, preoperative endocrine therapy may be an option.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>For premenopausal women with hormone&#x02013;responsive cancer, the use of preoperative endocrine therapy is under investigation.</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__1118">Regular clinical assessment of response to therapy is necessary after beginning preoperative therapy. Repeat radiographic
assessment is also required if breast conservation is the surgical goal. Patients with progressive disease during preoperative therapy may either transition to a non&#x02013;cross-resistant regimen or proceed to surgery, if feasible.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_169">169</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_170">170</a>] Although switching to a non&#x02013;cross-resistant regimen results in a higher pCR rate than continuing the same therapy, there is no clear evidence that other breast cancer outcomes are improved with this approach.</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1058"><h4>HER2/neu-negative breast cancer</h4><p id="CDR0000062787__1059">Early trials examined whether anthracycline-based regimens used in the adjuvant setting would prolong DFS and OS when used in the preoperative setting. The evidence supports higher rates of breast-conserving therapy with the use of a preoperative anthracycline chemotherapy regimen than with postoperative use, but no improvement in survival was noted with the preoperative strategy.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1334">Evidence (preoperative anthracycline-based regimen):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1276"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>A randomized clinical trial (NSABP-B-18) was designed to determine whether the preoperative combination of four cycles of AC would more effectively prolong DFS and OS than the same chemotherapy given in the adjuvant setting.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_171">171</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_173">173</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1277"><li class="half_rhythm"><div> After preoperative therapy, 36% of the patients had a complete clinical response.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>More patients
treated with preoperative chemotherapy were able to have breast-conserving
procedures as compared with those patients in the postoperative chemotherapy
group (68% vs. 60%; <i>P = </i>.001).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>No statistically significant
difference existed, however, in DFS, distant DFS, or OS in the
patients who received preoperative chemotherapy as compared with those who received
postoperative chemotherapy.</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>An EORTC randomized trial (EORTC-10902)
likewise demonstrated no improvement in DFS or
OS, but showed an increased frequency of conservative surgery with the
use of preoperative versus postoperative FEC chemotherapy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_174">174</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]</div></li></ol><p id="CDR0000062787__1278">In an effort to improve the results observed with AC alone, a taxane was added to the chemotherapy regimen. The following study results support the addition of a taxane to an anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimen for HER2-negative breast tumors.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1279">Evidence (anthracycline/taxane-based chemotherapy regimen):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1280"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In an effort to improve on the results observed with AC alone, the <a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=651289" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">NSABP B-27</a> (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00002707" title="Study NCT00002707" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00002707</a>) trial was conducted.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_161">161</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000632558/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiD</a>] <ul id="CDR0000062787__1281"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The administration of preoperative AC followed by docetaxel was associated with a higher clinical complete response rate compared with the administration of AC alone (63.6% for AC followed by docetaxel and 40.1% for AC alone; <i>P</i> &#x0003c; .001); a higher pCR rate was also observed (26.1% for AC followed by docetaxel and 13.7% for AC alone; <i>P</i> &#x0003c; .001). </div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Data from NSABP B-27 and the Aberdeen Breast Group Trial support the use of anthracycline- and taxane-based regimens in women with initial response or with relative resistance to anthracyclines.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_169">169</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div> Alternative anthracycline/taxane schedules have also been evaluated (concurrent TAC) and appear similar in efficacy to the sequential approach described above.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_175">175</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000587983/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiDiv</a>] </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div> The phase III <a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=732652" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">GeparSepto</a> trial (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01583426" title="Study NCT01583426" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT01583426</a>) investigated an alternative taxane (nab-paclitaxel) in patients with untreated primary breast cancer.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_176">176</a>] Patients (n = 1,229) were randomly assigned to receive 12 weeks of nab-paclitaxel or paclitaxel followed by epirubicin and cyclophosphamide (EC) for four cycles. The pCR rate was higher in the nab-paclitaxel arm (233 patients, 38%; 95% CI, 35%&#x02013;42%) when compared with the paclitaxel arm (174 patients, 29%; 95% CI, 25%&#x02013;33%).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_176">176</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000587983/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiDiv</a>] </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The incorporation of many additional cytotoxic agents to anthracycline- and taxane-based regimens has not offered a significant additional benefit to breast conservation or pCR rate in unselected breast cancer populations.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_177">177</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000587983/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiDiv</a>]</div></li></ol><p id="CDR0000062787__1283">Promising results have been observed, however, with the addition of carboplatin to anthracycline-taxane combination chemotherapy regimens in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Future definitive studies evaluating survival endpoints and the identification of biomarkers of response or resistance are necessary before the addition of carboplatin to standard preoperative chemotherapy can be considered a new standard of care.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1284">Evidence (adding carboplatin to an anthracycline-taxane based chemotherapy regimen in patients with TNBC):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1285"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In the <a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=710852" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">GeparSixto</a> (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01426880" title="Study NCT01426880" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT01426880</a>) trial, carboplatin was added to an anthracycline/taxane-based backbone.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_178">178</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000587983/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiDiv</a>] <ul id="CDR0000062787__1286"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Higher pCR rates were observed with the addition of carboplatin to an anthracycline/taxane-based backbone compared with anthracycline/taxane alone (36.9% vs. 53.2%; <i>P</i> = .005) in patients with TNBC.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The more intensive regimen was also associated with increased toxicity and treatment discontinuations (39% vs. 48%).</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The <a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=636850" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">CALGB 40603</a> (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00861705" title="Study NCT00861705" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00861705</a>) trial compared an anthracycline/taxane backbone alone with an anthracycline/taxane backbone plus carboplatin in patients with stage II and stage III TNBC.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_179">179</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000587983/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiDiv</a>] <ul id="CDR0000062787__1335"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The pCR rate for the breast and axilla was 54% for the anthracycline/taxane backbone plus carboplatin group versus 41% for the anthracycline/taxane backbone alone group (<i>P</i> = .0029)</div></li></ul></div></li></ol><p id="CDR0000062787__1123">Importantly, results of studies in the adjuvant and metastatic settings have not demonstrated an OS benefit with the addition of bevacizumab to chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone. However, the addition of bevacizumab to preoperative chemotherapy has been associated with an increased pCR rate alongside increased toxicity such as hypertension, cardiac toxicity, hand-foot syndrome, and mucositis (e.g., <a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=515432" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">NSABP B-40</a> [<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00408408" title="Study NCT00408408" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00408408</a>] and <a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=581097" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">GeparQuinto</a> [<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00567554" title="Study NCT00567554" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00567554</a>]).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_180">180</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_181">181</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000587983/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiDiv</a>] However, it is not clear that the modest benefit observed will translate into a longer term survival advantage. </p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__268"><h4>HER2/neu-positive breast cancer</h4><p id="CDR0000062787__1124">After the success in the adjuvant setting, initial reports from phase II studies indicated improved pCR rates when trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody that binds the extracellular domain of HER2, was added to preoperative anthracycline- and taxane-based regimens.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_182">182</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000587983/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiDiv</a>] This has been confirmed in phase III studies.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_183">183</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_184">184</a>]</p><div id="CDR0000062787__902"><h5>Trastuzumab</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__1288">Evidence (trastuzumab):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1342"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>A phase III study (NOAH) randomly assigned patients with HER2-positive locally advanced or inflammatory breast cancers to preoperative chemotherapy with or without 1 year of trastuzumab therapy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_184">184</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence:1iiA</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1290"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Study results confirmed that the addition of trastuzumab to preoperative chemotherapy resulted not only in improved clinical responses (87% vs. 74%) and pathologic responses (breast and axilla, 38% vs. 19%) but also in EFS, the primary outcome.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_184">184</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence:1iiA</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>After a median follow-up of 5.4 years, the EFS benefit was 58% with the addition of trastuzumab to chemotherapy (95% CI, 48&#x02013;66) and 43% (95% CI, 34&#x02013;52) in patients in the chemotherapy group. The unadjusted HR for EFS between the two randomized HER2-positive treatment groups was 0.64 (95% CI, 0.44&#x02013;0.93; two-sided log-rank <i>P</i> = .016). EFS was strongly associated with pCR in patients who received trastuzumab.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_185">185</a>] </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Symptomatic cardiac failure occurred in two patients who received concurrent doxorubicin and trastuzumab for two cycles. Close cardiac monitoring of LVEF and the total dose of doxorubicin not exceeding 180 mg/m<sup>2</sup> accounted for the relatively low number of declines in LVEF and only two cardiac events. (Refer to the <a href="#CDR0000062787__1048">Cardiac toxic effects with adjuvant trastuzumab</a> section in this summary for more information.)[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_184">184</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000632558/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiD</a>]</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>A phase III trial (<a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=559039" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">Z1041</a> [<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00513292" title="Study NCT00513292" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00513292</a>]) randomly assigned patients with operable HER2-positive breast cancer to receive trastuzumab sequential to or concurrent with the anthracycline component (fluorouracil, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide) of the preoperative chemotherapy regimen.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_186">186</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000587983/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiDiv</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1291"><li class="half_rhythm"><div> There was no significant difference in pCR rate in the breast between the arms (56.5% sequential, 54.2% concurrent; difference, 2.3% with 95% CI, -9.3&#x02013;13.9).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In addition, asymptomatic declines in LVEF during preoperative chemotherapy were identified in similar proportions of patients in each arm.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The conclusion was that concurrent administration of trastuzumab with anthracyclines is not warranted based on these findings.</div></li></ul></div></li></ol><p id="CDR0000062787__1336">A phase III (<a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=651489" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">HannaH</a> [<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00950300" title="Study NCT00950300" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00950300</a>]) trial also demonstrated that the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of preoperative SQ trastuzumab is noninferior to the IV formulation. This international, open-label trial (n = 596) randomly assigned women with operable, locally advanced, or inflammatory HER2-positive breast cancer to preoperative chemotherapy (anthracycline/taxane-based), concurrent with either SQ-administered or IV-administered trastuzumab every 3 weeks before surgery. Patients received adjuvant trastuzumab to complete 1 year of therapy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_187">187</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000632558/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiD</a>] The pCR rates between the arms differed by 4.7% (95% CI, 4.0&#x02013;13.4); 40.7% in the IV-administered group versus 45.4% in the SQ-administered group, demonstrating noninferiority for the SQ formulation. Data regarding the DFS and OS differences between the arms are not yet available.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1293">An ongoing trial, <a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=730074" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">SafeHer</a> (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01566721" title="Study NCT01566721" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT01566721</a>), is evaluating the safety of self-administered versus clinician-administered SQ trastuzumab. SQ trastuzumab is approved for use in Europe in early- and late-stage breast cancer.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1337">Newer HER2-targeted therapies (lapatinib, pertuzumab) have also been investigated. It appears that dual targeting of the HER2 receptor results in an increase in pCR rate; however, no survival advantage has been demonstrated to date with this approach.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_188">188</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_189">189</a>]</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__905"><h5>Pertuzumab</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__906"> Pertuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to a distinct epitope on the extracellular domain of the HER2 receptor and inhibits dimerization. Pertuzumab, in combination with trastuzumab with or without chemotherapy, has been evaluated in two preoperative clinical trials in an attempt to improve on the pCR rates observed with trastuzumab and chemotherapy. </p><p id="CDR0000062787__1294">Evidence (pertuzumab):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1295"><li class="half_rhythm"><div class="half_rhythm">In the open-label, randomized, phase II <a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=574394" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">NeoSPHERE</a> (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00545688" title="Study NCT00545688" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00545688</a>) trial,[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_188">188</a>] 417 women with tumors that were larger than 2 cm or node-positive, and who had HER2-positive breast cancer, were randomly assigned to one of four preoperative regimens:[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_188">188</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000587983/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiDiv</a>]<ol id="CDR0000062787__1296" class="lower-alpha"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Docetaxel plus trastuzumab.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Docetaxel plus trastuzumab and pertuzumab.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Pertuzumab plus trastuzumab.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Docetaxel plus pertuzumab. </div></li></ol></div><div class="half_rhythm">The following results were observed:<ul id="CDR0000062787__1298"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The pCR rates were 29%, 46%, 17%, and 24%, respectively. Therefore, the highest pCR rate was seen in the preoperative treatment arm with dual HER2 blockade plus chemotherapy. </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The addition of pertuzumab to the docetaxel plus trastuzumab combination did not appear to increase toxic effects, including the risk of cardiac adverse events. </div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div class="half_rhythm">The open-label, randomized, phase II <a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=655393" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">TRYPHAENA</a> (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00976989" title="Study NCT00976989" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00976989</a>) trial sought to evaluate the tolerability and activity associated with trastuzumab and pertuzumab.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_190">190</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000587983/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiDiv</a>] All 225 women with tumors that were larger than 2 cm or node-positive, and who had operable, locally advanced, or inflammatory HER2-positive breast cancer, were randomly assigned to one of three preoperative regimens: <ol id="CDR0000062787__1338" class="lower-alpha"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Concurrent FEC plus trastuzumab plus pertuzumab (&#x000d7;3) followed by concurrent docetaxel plus trastuzumab plus pertuzumab.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>FEC alone (&#x000d7;3) followed by concurrent docetaxel plus trastuzumab plus pertuzumab (&#x000d7;3). </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Concurrent docetaxel and carboplatin plus trastuzumab plus pertuzumab (&#x000d7;6). </div></li></ol></div><div class="half_rhythm">The following results were observed:<ul id="CDR0000062787__1301"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The pCR rate was equivalent across all three treatment arms (62%, 57%, and 66%, respectively).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>All three arms were associated with a low incidence of cardiac adverse events of 5% or less.</div></li></ul></div></li></ol><p id="CDR0000062787__912">On the basis of these studies, the <a href="http://www.fda.gov/drugs/informationondrugs/approveddrugs/ucm370449.htm" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">FDA-granted accelerated approval</a> for the use of pertuzumab as part of preoperative treatment for women with early-stage, HER2-positive breast cancer whose tumors are larger than 2 cm or node-positive. The FDA approved no more than three to six cycles of pertuzumab. Thus, a pertuzumab-based regimen as outlined above is a new treatment option for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer who are candidates for preoperative therapy. There is insufficient evidence to recommend concomitant anthracycline/pertuzumab or sequential use of doxorubicin with pertuzumab. </p><p id="CDR0000062787__1302">The ongoing <a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=701226" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">APHINITY</a> (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01358877" title="Study NCT01358877" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT01358877</a>) trial, a randomized, phase III, adjuvant study for women with HER2-positive breast cancer, is the confirmatory trial for this accelerated approval. Results are expected in 2016.</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__913"><h5>Lapatinib</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__1303"> Lapatinib is a small-molecule kinase inhibitor that is capable of dual receptor inhibition of both epidermal growth factor receptor and HER2. Study results do not support the use of lapatinib in the preoperative setting.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1304">Evidence (lapatinib):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1305"><li class="half_rhythm"><div> The role of lapatinib in the preoperative setting was examined in the <a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=581097" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">GeparQuinto</a> [<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00567554" title="Study NCT00567554" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00567554</a>] trial.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_181">181</a>] This phase III trial randomly assigned women with HER2-positive early-stage breast cancer to receive chemotherapy with trastuzumab or chemotherapy with lapatinib, with pCR as the primary endpoint.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_181">181</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000587983/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiDiv</a>] <ul id="CDR0000062787__1306"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>pCR in the chemotherapy and lapatinib arm was significantly lower than it was with chemotherapy and trastuzumab (22.7% vs. 30.3%; <i>P </i>= .04).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Other endpoints of DFS, RFS, and OS have not been reported. </div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=616648" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">CALGB 40601</a> (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00770809" title="Study NCT00770809" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00770809</a>) was a phase III trial that randomly assigned patients with stage II and III HER2-positive breast cancer to receive either paclitaxel plus trastuzumab or paclitaxel plus trastuzumab plus lapatinib. The primary endpoint of the study was pCR in the breast.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_191">191</a>] [<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000587983/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiDiv</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1657"><li class="half_rhythm"><div> pCR in patients who received paclitaxel plus trastuzumab was 46% (95% CI, 37%&#x02013;55%), and pCR in the patients who received paclitaxel plus trastuzumab plus lapatinib was 56% (95% CI, 47%&#x02013;65%; <i>P</i> = .13), indicating no benefit with the addition of lapatinib.</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The <a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=576608" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">NeoALTTO</a> [<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00553358" title="Study NCT00553358" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00553358</a>] phase III trial randomly assigned 455 women with HER2-positive early-stage breast cancer (tumor size &#x0003e;2 cm) to receive preoperative lapatinib, or preoperative trastuzumab, or preoperative lapatinib plus trastuzumab. This anti-HER2 therapy was given alone for 6 weeks and then weekly paclitaxel was added to the regimen for an additional 12 weeks. The primary endpoint of this study was pCR. <ul id="CDR0000062787__1307"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>pCR was significantly higher in the lapatinib plus trastuzumab combination arm (51.3%; 95% CI, 43.1&#x02013;59.5) than in the trastuzumab alone arm (29.5%; 95% CI, 22.4&#x02013;37.5).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>No significant difference in pCR was seen between the lapatinib (24.7%, 95% CI, 18.1&#x02013;32.3) and trastuzumab groups (difference, -4.8%, -17.6&#x02013;8.2; <i>P </i> = .34).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div> An updated analysis for the prespecified secondary endpoints of event-free and overall survival indicate no difference between the groups.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_192">192</a>] </div></li></ul></div></li></ol><p id="CDR0000062787__1362">More definitive efficacy data were provided by the phase III ALLTO (<a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=558836" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">NCT00490139</a>) trial that randomly assigned women to trastuzumab or trastuzumab plus lapatinib in the adjuvant setting.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_120">120</a>] The trial did not meet its primary endpoint of DFS. The doubling in pCR rate observed with the addition of lapatinib to trastuzumab in the NeoALTTO trial did not translate into improved survival outcomes in the ALTTO trial at 4.5 years of median follow-up. This indicates that there is currently no role for the use of lapatinib in the preoperative or adjuvant settings.</p></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1652"><h4>Cardiac toxic effects with pertuzumab and lapatinib</h4><p id="CDR0000062787__1653">A pooled analysis of cardiac safety in 598 cancer patients treated with pertuzumab was performed using data supplied by Roche and Genentech.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_193">193</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000593395/" class="def">Level of evidence: 3iiiD</a>]</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1654"><li class="half_rhythm"><div> Asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction was observed in 6.9% of patients receiving pertuzumab alone (n = 331; 95% CI, 4.5&#x02013;10.2), 3.4% of patients receiving pertuzumab in combination with a nonanthracycline-containing chemotherapy (n = 175; 95% CI, 1.3&#x02013;7.3), and 6.5% of patients receiving pertuzumab in combination with trastuzumab (n = 93; 95% CI, 2.4&#x02013;13.5).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Symptomatic heart failure was observed in 1 (0.3%), 2 (1.1%), and 1 (1.1%) patients, respectively.</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__1655">A meta-analysis of randomized trials (n = 6) that evaluated the administration of anti-HER2 monotherapy (trastuzumab or lapatinib or pertuzumab) versus dual anti-HER2 therapy (trastuzumab plus lapatinib or trastuzumab plus pertuzumab) was performed.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_194">194</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000593395/" class="def">Level of evidence: 3iiiD</a>]</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1656"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>LVEF decline was observed in 3.1% of the patients who received monotherapy (95% CI, 2.2%&#x02013;4.4%) and 2.9% of the patients who received dual therapy (95% CI, 2.1%&#x02013;4.1%).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div> Symptomatic heart failure was observed in 0.88% of the patients who received monotherapy (95% CI, 0.47%&#x02013;1.64%) and 1.49% of the patients who received dual therapy (95% CI, 0.98%&#x02013;2.23%).</div></li></ul></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1125"><h4>Preoperative endocrine therapy</h4><p id="CDR0000062787__1126">Preoperative endocrine therapy may be an option for postmenopausal women with hormone receptor&#x02013;positive breast cancer when chemotherapy is not a suitable option because of comorbidities or performance status. Although the toxicity profile of preoperative hormonal therapy over the course of 3 to 6 months is favorable, the pCR rates obtained (1%&#x02013;8%) are far lower than have been reported with chemotherapy in unselected populations.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_195">195</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000587981/" class="def">Level of Evidence: 1iDiv</a>] </p><p id="CDR0000062787__1309">Longer duration of preoperative therapy may be required in this patient population. Preoperative tamoxifen was associated with an overall response rate of 33%, with maximum response occurring up to 12 months after therapy in some patients.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_196">196</a>] A randomized study of 4, 8, or 12 months of preoperative letrozole in elderly patients who were not fit for chemotherapy indicated that the longer duration of therapy resulted in the highest pCR rate (17.5% vs. 5% vs. 2.5%, <i>P</i>-value for trend &#x0003c; .04).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_162">162</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000587983/" class="def">Level of Evidence: 1iiDiv</a>] </p><p id="CDR0000062787__1310">The AI have also been compared with tamoxifen in the preoperative setting. Overall objective response and breast-conserving therapy rates with 3 to 4 months preoperative therapy were either statistically significantly improved in the AI-treated women [<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_195">195</a>] or comparable to tamoxifen-associated outcomes.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_162">162</a>] An American College of Surgeons Oncology Group trial is currently comparing the efficacy of anastrozole, letrozole, or exemestane in the preoperative setting.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1311">The use of preoperative endocrine therapy in premenopausal women with hormone-responsive breast cancer remains investigational.</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1128"><h4>Postoperative therapy</h4><p id="CDR0000062787__1129">There is currently no clear role for adjuvant chemotherapy in cases in which pCR is not obtained after receipt of an anthracycline/taxane combination chemotherapy regimen. Clinical trials of novel therapies should be considered in these individuals (after neoadjuvant or preoperative trials). </p><p id="CDR0000062787__1312">Radiation therapy is administered after breast conservation in most women who have received preoperative therapy to reduce the risk of locoregional recurrence. Baseline clinical and subsequent pathologic staging should be considered in deciding whether to administer postmastectomy radiation. </p><p id="CDR0000062787__1313">Other adjuvant systemic treatments may be administered either postoperatively or during/after completion of adjuvant radiation, including adjuvant hormonal therapy for patients with hormone receptor&#x02013;positive disease and adjuvant trastuzumab for those with HER2-positive disease. (Refer to the <a href="#CDR0000062787__1028">Hormone receptor&#x02013;positive breast cancer</a> subsection in the <a href="#CDR0000062787__1375">Early/Localized/Operable Breast Cancer</a> section of this summary for more information.)</p></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1065"><h3>Posttherapy Surveillance</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__1130">The frequency of follow-up and the
appropriateness of screening tests after the completion of primary treatment
for stage I, stage II, or stage III breast cancer remain controversial.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1131">Evidence from randomized trials indicates that periodic follow-up with bone
scans, liver sonography, chest x-rays, and blood tests of liver function does <b>not</b>
improve survival or quality of life when compared with routine physical
examinations.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_197">197</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_199">199</a>]
Even when these tests permit earlier detection of
recurrent disease, patient survival is unaffected.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1375_198">198</a>] On the basis of these data,
acceptable follow-up can be limited to the following for asymptomatic patients who complete treatment for stages I to III breast cancer: </p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1314"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Physical
examination.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Annual mammography.</div></li></ul></div><div id="CDR0000062787__TrialSearch_1375_sid_4"><h3>Current Clinical Trials</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__TrialSearch_1375_10">Check the list of NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are now accepting patients with
<a href="http://www.cancer.gov/search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?Diagnosis=38902&#x00026;tt=1&#x00026;format=2" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">stage I breast cancer</a>, <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?Diagnosis=38954&#x00026;tt=1&#x00026;format=2" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">stage II breast cancer</a>, <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?Diagnosis=39180&#x00026;tt=1&#x00026;format=2" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">stage IIIA breast cancer</a> and <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?Diagnosis=340180&#x00026;tt=1&#x00026;format=2" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">stage IIIC breast cancer</a>. The list of clinical trials can be further narrowed by location, drug, intervention, and other criteria.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__TrialSearch_1375_18">General information about clinical trials is also available from the <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/clinical-trials" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">NCI website</a>.</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787_rl_1375"><h3>References</h3><ol><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1375_1">Fisher B, Fisher ER, Redmond C, et al.: Tumor nuclear grade, estrogen receptor, and progesterone receptor: their value alone or in combination as indicators of outcome following adjuvant therapy for breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 7 (3): 147-60, 1986. 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[<a href="/pmc/articles/PMC1496321/" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pmc">PMC free article<span class="bk_prnt">: PMC1496321</span></a>] [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6802332" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 6802332</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1375_197">Impact of follow-up testing on survival and health-related quality of life in breast cancer patients. A multicenter randomized controlled trial. The GIVIO Investigators. JAMA 271 (20): 1587-92, 1994. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8182811" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 8182811</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1375_198">Rosselli Del Turco M, Palli D, Cariddi A, et al.: Intensive diagnostic follow-up after treatment of primary breast cancer. A randomized trial. National Research Council Project on Breast Cancer follow-up. JAMA 271 (20): 1593-7, 1994. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7848404" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 7848404</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1375_199">Khatcheressian JL, Wolff AC, Smith TJ, et al.: American Society of Clinical Oncology 2006 update of the breast cancer follow-up and management guidelines in the adjuvant setting. J Clin Oncol 24 (31): 5091-7, 2006. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17033037" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 17033037</span></a>]</div></li></ol></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1699"><h2 id="_CDR0000062787__1699_">Locally Advanced or Inflammatory Breast Cancer</h2><div id="CDR0000062787__1700"><h3>Treatment Option Overview for Locally Advanced or Inflammatory Breast Cancer</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__1701">Based on available evidence, multimodality therapy delivered with curative intent is the standard of care
for patients with locally advanced or inflammatory breast cancer. </p><p id="CDR0000062787__1702">The standard treatment options for locally advanced or inflammatory breast cancer may include the following:</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1703"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Breast-conserving surgery or total mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Chemotherapy.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Radiation therapy.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Hormone therapy.</div></li></ol><p id="CDR0000062787__1704">Initial surgery is generally
limited to biopsy to permit the determination of histology, estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor levels,
and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu) overexpression.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1705">The standard chemotherapy regimen for initial treatment is the same as that used in the adjuvant setting (refer to the <a href="#CDR0000062787__1027">Postoperative Systemic Therapy</a> section of this summary for more information), although trials done solely in patients with locally advanced disease have not shown a statistically significant advantage to dose-dense chemotherapy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1699_1">1</a>]</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1706">For
patients who respond to preoperative chemotherapy, local therapy may consist of
total mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection followed by postoperative
radiation therapy to the chest wall and regional lymphatics. Breast-conserving
therapy can be considered for patients with a good partial or complete response
to preoperative chemotherapy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1699_2">2</a>] Subsequent systemic therapy may consist of
further chemotherapy. Hormone therapy is administered to patients with ER-positive or ER-unknown tumors.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1707">Although the evidence described below has not been replicated, it suggests patients with locally advanced or inflammatory breast cancer should be treated with curative intent. </p><p id="CDR0000062787__1708">Evidence (multimodality therapy):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1709"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In a retrospective series, 70 patients with locally advanced breast cancer and supraclavicular metastases received preoperative chemotherapy. Patients then received local therapy that consisted of either total mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection or breast-conserving surgery and axillary lymph node dissection before or after radiation therapy. Patients who did not respond to preoperative chemotherapy were treated with surgery and/or radiation therapy. After completion of local therapy, chemotherapy was continued for 4 to 15 cycles, followed by radiation therapy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1699_3">3</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1710"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Approximately 32% of patients with ipsilateral supraclavicular node involvement and no evidence of distant metastases (pN3c) had prolonged disease-free survival (DFS) at 10 years with combined-modality therapy.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>These results have been confirmed in a separate series of patients treated in British Columbia.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1699_4">4</a>]</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>A series of
178 patients with inflammatory breast cancer were treated with a combined-modality approach. Patients were treated with induction chemotherapy, then local therapy (radiation therapy or mastectomy), followed by chemotherapy, and, if mastectomy was performed, radiation therapy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1699_5">5</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335155/" class="def">Level of evidence: 3iiiDii</a>] </div></li></ol><p id="CDR0000062787__1711">Subsequent trials have confirmed that patients with locally advanced and inflammatory breast cancer can experience long-term DFS when treated with initial chemotherapy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1699_1">1</a>]</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1712">All patients are considered
candidates for clinical trials to evaluate the most appropriate manner in
which to administer the various components of new multimodality regimens.</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__TrialSearch_1699_sid_5"><h3>Current Clinical Trials</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__TrialSearch_1699_10">Check the list of NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are now accepting patients with
<a href="http://www.cancer.gov/search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?Diagnosis=41974&#x00026;tt=1&#x00026;format=2" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">stage IIIB breast cancer</a>, <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?Diagnosis=340180&#x00026;tt=1&#x00026;format=2" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">stage IIIC breast cancer</a>, <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?Diagnosis=39108&#x00026;tt=1&#x00026;format=2" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">stage IV breast cancer</a> and <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?Diagnosis=40816&#x00026;tt=1&#x00026;format=2" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">inflammatory breast cancer</a>. The list of clinical trials can be further narrowed by location, drug, intervention, and other criteria.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__TrialSearch_1699_18">General information about clinical trials is also available from the <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/clinical-trials" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">NCI website</a>.</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787_rl_1699"><h3>References</h3><ol><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1699_1">Petrelli F, Coinu A, Lonati V, et al.: Neoadjuvant dose-dense chemotherapy for locally advanced breast cancer: a meta-analysis of published studies. Anticancer Drugs 27 (7): 702-8, 2016. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27058707" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 27058707</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1699_2">Berg CD, Swain SM: Results of Concomitantly Administered Chemoradiation for Locally Advanced Noninflammatory Breast Cancer. Semin Radiat Oncol 4 (4): 226-235, 1994. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10717111" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 10717111</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1699_3">Brito RA, Valero V, Buzdar AU, et al.: Long-term results of combined-modality therapy for locally advanced breast cancer with ipsilateral supraclavicular metastases: The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center experience. J Clin Oncol 19 (3): 628-33, 2001. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11157012" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 11157012</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1699_4">Olivotto IA, Chua B, Allan SJ, et al.: Long-term survival of patients with supraclavicular metastases at diagnosis of breast cancer. J Clin Oncol 21 (5): 851-4, 2003. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12610184" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 12610184</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1699_5">Ueno NT, Buzdar AU, Singletary SE, et al.: Combined-modality treatment of inflammatory breast carcinoma: twenty years of experience at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 40 (4): 321-9, 1997. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9225950" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 9225950</span></a>]</div></li></ol></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1440"><h2 id="_CDR0000062787__1440_">Locoregional Recurrent Breast Cancer</h2><p id="CDR0000062787__1441">Recurrent breast cancer is often responsive to therapy, although treatment is
rarely curative at this stage of disease. Patients with locoregional breast cancer recurrence may become long-term survivors
with appropriate therapy.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1442"> The rates of locoregional recurrence have been reduced over time, and a meta-analysis suggests a recurrence rate of less than 3% in patients treated with breast-conserving surgery and radiation therapy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1440_1">1</a>] The rates are somewhat higher (up to 10%) for those treated with mastectomy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1440_2">2</a>] Nine
percent to 25% of patients with locoregional recurrence will have distant metastases or locally
extensive disease at the time of recurrence.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1440_3">3</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1440_5">5</a>]</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1443">Before treatment for recurrent breast cancer,
restaging to evaluate the extent of disease is indicated. Cytologic or histologic
documentation of recurrent disease is obtained whenever
possible. When therapy is selected, the estrogen-receptor (ER) status, progesterone-receptor (PR) status, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu) status at the time of recurrence and previous treatment are
considered, if known. </p><p id="CDR0000062787__1444">ER status may change at the time
of recurrence. In a single small study by the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (MDA-MBDT-8081), 36% of hormone receptor&#x02013;positive
tumors were found to be receptor negative in biopsy specimens isolated at the
time of recurrence.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1440_6">6</a>] Patients in this study had no interval treatment. If
ER and PR statuses are unknown, then the site(s) of recurrence, disease-free
interval, response to previous treatment, and menopausal status are useful in
the selection of chemotherapy or hormone therapy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1440_7">7</a>]</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1445">Treatment options for locoregional recurrent breast cancer include the following:</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1446"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Chemotherapy.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Hormone therapy.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Radiation therapy.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Surgery.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Targeted therapy (e.g., trastuzumab).</div></li></ol><p id="CDR0000062787__1447">Patients with locoregional
recurrence should be considered for further local treatment (e.g., mastectomy).
In one series, the 5-year actuarial rate of relapse for patients treated for
invasive recurrence after initial breast conservation and radiation therapy was
52%.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1440_4">4</a>] </p><p id="CDR0000062787__1448">Treatment options also depend on the site of recurrence, as follows:</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1449"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Cutaneous: A phase III randomized study showed that local control of cutaneous metastases could be achieved with the application of topical miltefosine; however, the drug is not currently available in the United States.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1440_8">8</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335131/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiDiii</a>]
</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Chest wall: Local chest wall recurrence after mastectomy is usually the harbinger of
widespread disease, but, in a subset of patients, it may be the only site of
recurrence. For patients in this subset, surgery and/or radiation therapy may
be curative.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1440_9">9</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1440_10">10</a>] Patients with chest wall recurrences of less than 3
cm, axillary and internal mammary node recurrence (not
supraclavicular, which has a poorer survival), and a greater-than-2-year
disease-free interval before recurrence have the best chance for prolonged
survival.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1440_10">10</a>] The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate in one series of such
patients was 25%, with a 10-year rate of 15%.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1440_11">11</a>] The locoregional control
rate was 57% at 10 years. Systemic therapy should be considered in patients
with locoregional recurrence.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Breast: In the <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00074152" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">CALOR</a> trial (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00074152" title="Study NCT00074152" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00074152</a>), patients with a history of breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy with clear margins and complete excision of an isolated local recurrence of their breast cancer were randomly assigned to receive either chemotherapy of the physician's choice or no chemotherapy. The study was closed early because of poor accrual. The original sample size for a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.74 was 977 patients (347 DFS events) and was revised subsequently to 265 patients (HR 0.6; 124 DFS events), with only 162 enrolled at the time of study closure.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1440_12">12</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335129/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiDii</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1450"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Five-year DFS was 69% in the chemotherapy arm versus 57% in the no-chemotherapy arm (HR, 0.59; 95% confidence interval, 0.35&#x02013;0.99; <i>P</i> = .046), with most benefit seen in the subgroup with hormone receptor&#x02013;negative disease.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>This trial supports consideration of adjuvant chemotherapy after complete resection of isolated locoregional recurrence of breast cancer.</div></li></ul></div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__1451">Refer to the <a href="#CDR0000062787__1452">Metastatic (systemic) disease</a> section of this summary for information about treatment for recurrent metastatic breast cancer. All patients with recurrent breast cancer are
considered candidates for ongoing clinical trials.
</p><div id="CDR0000062787__TrialSearch_1440_sid_6"><h3>Current Clinical Trials</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__TrialSearch_1440_10">Check the list of NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are now accepting patients with
<a href="http://www.cancer.gov/search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?Diagnosis=39738&#x00026;tt=1&#x00026;format=2" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">recurrent breast cancer</a>. The list of clinical trials can be further narrowed by location, drug, intervention, and other criteria.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__TrialSearch_1440_18">General information about clinical trials is also available from the <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/clinical-trials" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">NCI website</a>.</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787_rl_1440"><h3>References</h3><ol><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1440_1">Darby S, McGale P, Correa C, et al.: Effect of radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery on 10-year recurrence and 15-year breast cancer death: meta-analysis of individual patient data for 10,801 women in 17 randomised trials. Lancet 378 (9804): 1707-16, 2011. [<a href="/pmc/articles/PMC3254252/" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pmc">PMC free article<span class="bk_prnt">: PMC3254252</span></a>] [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22019144" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 22019144</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1440_2">Buchanan CL, Dorn PL, Fey J, et al.: Locoregional recurrence after mastectomy: incidence and outcomes. J Am Coll Surg 203 (4): 469-74, 2006. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17000389" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 17000389</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1440_3">Aberizk WJ, Silver B, Henderson IC, et al.: The use of radiotherapy for treatment of isolated locoregional recurrence of breast carcinoma after mastectomy. Cancer 58 (6): 1214-8, 1986. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3742446" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 3742446</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1440_4">Abner AL, Recht A, Eberlein T, et al.: Prognosis following salvage mastectomy for recurrence in the breast after conservative surgery and radiation therapy for early-stage breast cancer. J Clin Oncol 11 (1): 44-8, 1993. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8418240" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 8418240</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1440_5">Haffty BG, Fischer D, Beinfield M, et al.: Prognosis following local recurrence in the conservatively treated breast cancer patient. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 21 (2): 293-8, 1991. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2061106" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 2061106</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1440_6">Kuukasj&#x000e4;rvi T, Kononen J, Helin H, et al.: Loss of estrogen receptor in recurrent breast cancer is associated with poor response to endocrine therapy. J Clin Oncol 14 (9): 2584-9, 1996. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8823339" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 8823339</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1440_7">Perry MC, Kardinal CG, Korzun AH, et al.: Chemohormonal therapy in advanced carcinoma of the breast: Cancer and Leukemia Group B protocol 8081. J Clin Oncol 5 (10): 1534-45, 1987. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3655856" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 3655856</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1440_8">Leonard R, Hardy J, van Tienhoven G, et al.: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial of 6% miltefosine solution, a topical chemotherapy in cutaneous metastases from breast cancer. J Clin Oncol 19 (21): 4150-9, 2001. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11689583" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 11689583</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1440_9">Schwaibold F, Fowble BL, Solin LJ, et al.: The results of radiation therapy for isolated local regional recurrence after mastectomy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 21 (2): 299-310, 1991. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2061107" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 2061107</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1440_10">Halverson KJ, Perez CA, Kuske RR, et al.: Survival following locoregional recurrence of breast cancer: univariate and multivariate analysis. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 23 (2): 285-91, 1992. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1587748" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 1587748</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1440_11">Halverson KJ, Perez CA, Kuske RR, et al.: Isolated local-regional recurrence of breast cancer following mastectomy: radiotherapeutic management. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 19 (4): 851-8, 1990. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2211253" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 2211253</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1440_12">Aebi S, Gelber S, Anderson SJ, et al.: Chemotherapy for isolated locoregional recurrence of breast cancer (CALOR): a randomised trial. Lancet Oncol 15 (2): 156-63, 2014. [<a href="/pmc/articles/PMC3982874/" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pmc">PMC free article<span class="bk_prnt">: PMC3982874</span></a>] [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24439313" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 24439313</span></a>]</div></li></ol></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1452"><h2 id="_CDR0000062787__1452_">Metastatic Breast Cancer</h2><p id="CDR0000062787__1453">Treatment of metastatic disease is palliative in intent. Goals of treatment
include prolonging life and improving quality of life. Although median
survival has been reported to be 18 to 24 months,[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_1">1</a>] some patients experience
long-term survival. Among patients treated with systemic chemotherapy at a
single institution between 1973 and 1982, 263 patients (16.6%) achieved
complete responses. Of those, 49 patients (3.1% of the total group) remained
in complete remission for more than 5 years, and 26 patients (1.5%) were still
in complete remission at 16 years.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_2">2</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335149/" class="def">Level of evidence: 3iiDiii</a>]
</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1454">Treatment options for metastatic breast cancer include the following:</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1455"><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="#CDR0000062787__1458">Hormone therapy (tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors).</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Targeted therapy (e.g., trastuzumab, lapatinib, pertuzumab, mammalian target of rapamycin [mTOR] inhibitors).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="#CDR0000062787__1520">Chemotherapy.</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="#CDR0000062787__1547">Surgery, for patients with limited symptomatic metastases.</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="#CDR0000062787__1551">Radiation therapy, for patients with limited symptomatic metastases.</a></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="#CDR0000062787__1555">Bone modifier therapy, for patients with bone metastases.</a></div></li></ol><p id="CDR0000062787__1456">Cytologic or histologic
documentation of metastatic disease is obtained whenever
possible.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1457">Treatment of metastatic breast cancer will usually involve hormone therapy
and/or chemotherapy with or without trastuzumab. All patients with metastatic breast cancer are
considered candidates for ongoing clinical trials.
</p><div id="CDR0000062787__1458"><h3>Hormone Receptor&#x02013;Positive or Hormone Receptor&#x02013;Unknown Breast Cancer </h3><div id="CDR0000062787__1459"><h4>Tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy</h4><div id="CDR0000062787__1460"><h5>Initial hormone therapy</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__1461">Initial hormone therapy depends, in part, on the patient's menopausal status.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1462">For <b>postmenopausal</b> patients with newly diagnosed metastatic disease and estrogen receptor (ER)&#x02013;positive tumors, progesterone receptor (PR)&#x02013;positive tumors, or ER/PR-unknown tumors, hormone therapy is generally used as initial treatment. Hormone therapy is
especially indicated if the patient&#x02019;s disease involves only bone and soft
tissue and the patient either has not received adjuvant antiestrogen therapy or
has been off such therapy for more than 1 year. </p><p id="CDR0000062787__1463">While tamoxifen has been used
for many years in treating postmenopausal women with newly metastatic disease that is ER-positive, PR-positive, or ER/PR-unknown, several randomized trials suggest equivalent or superior response rates and progression-free survival (PFS) for the AI compared with tamoxifen.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_3">3</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_5">5</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335131/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiDiii</a>]</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1464">Evidence (initial hormone therapy in postmenopausal women):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1465"><li class="half_rhythm"><div> A meta-analysis evaluated patients with metastatic disease who were randomly assigned to receive either an AI as their first or second hormone therapy, or standard therapy (tamoxifen or a progestational agent).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_6">6</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335106/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iA</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1466"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Patients who received an AI as either their first or second hormone therapy for metastatic disease and were randomly assigned to a third-generation drug (anastrozole, letrozole, exemestane, or vorozole) lived longer (hazard ratio [HR<sub>death</sub>], 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.82&#x02013;0.93) than those who received standard therapy (tamoxifen or a progestational agent).</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Conflicting results were found in two trials that compared the combination of the antiestrogen fulvestrant (refer to the discussion of <a href="#CDR0000062787__1473">second-line hormone therapy</a> for more information about this drug) and anastrozole with anastrozole alone in the first-line treatment of hormone receptor&#x02013;positive postmenopausal patients with recurrent or metastatic disease.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_7">7</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_8">8</a>] In both studies, fulvestrant was administered as a 500-mg loading dose on day 1; 250 mg was administered on days 15 and 29, and monthly thereafter; plus, 1 mg of anastrozole was administered daily. The Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) trial included more patients who presented with metastatic disease; the Fulvestrant and Anastrozole Combination Therapy (FACT [<a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=459517" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">NCT00256698</a>]) study enrolled more patients who had previously received tamoxifen.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_7">7</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_8">8</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1467"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The SWOG trial (<a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=349337" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">SWOG-0226</a> [<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00075764" title="Study NCT00075764" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00075764</a>]), which enrolled 707 patients, demonstrated a statistically significant difference in PFS (HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.68&#x02013;0.94; <i>P</i> = .007) and overall survival (OS) (HR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.65&#x02013;1.00; <i>P</i> = .05).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_7">7</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335106/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iA</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In contrast, the FACT trial , which enrolled 514 patients, found no difference in either disease-free survival (DFS) (HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.81&#x02013;1.20; <i>P</i> = .91) or OS (HR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.76&#x02013;1.32; <i>P</i> = 1.00).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_8">8</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335106/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iA</a>]</div></li></ul></div></li></ol><p id="CDR0000062787__1468">Another initial treatment option for postmenopausal women is AI therapy combined with cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor therapy (refer to the <a href="#CDR0000062787__1483">Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor therapy</a> section of this summary for more information).</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1469">In <b>premenopausal</b> women, several randomized but underpowered trials have tried to determine whether combined
hormone therapy (luteinizing hormone&#x02013;releasing hormone [LHRH] agonists plus tamoxifen) is superior to either approach
alone. Results have been inconsistent.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_9">9</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_11">11</a>] </p><p id="CDR0000062787__1470">Evidence (initial hormone therapy in premenopausal women):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1471"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The best
study design compared buserelin (an LHRH agonist) versus tamoxifen versus the
combination in 161 premenopausal women with hormone receptor&#x02013;positive
tumors.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_12">12</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>] <ul id="CDR0000062787__1472"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Patients who received buserelin and tamoxifen had a significantly
improved median survival of 3.7 years compared with those who received tamoxifen alone (median survival, 2.9 years) or
buserelin alone (median survival, 2.5 years) (<i>P</i> = .01).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_12">12</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Very few women in this trial received adjuvant tamoxifen,
which makes it difficult to assess whether these results are applicable to women
who relapse after adjuvant tamoxifen.</div></li></ul></div></li></ol></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1473"><h5>Second-line hormone therapy</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__1474">Women whose tumors are ER-positive or ER-unknown, with bone or soft tissue
metastases only, and who have been treated with tamoxifen, may be offered second-line hormone therapy. Examples of second-line hormone therapy
in postmenopausal women include selective AI, such as
anastrozole, letrozole, or exemestane; megestrol acetate; estrogens;
androgens;[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_13">13</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_21">21</a>] and fulvestrant, an ER down-regulator.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_22">22</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_23">23</a>] </p><p id="CDR0000062787__1475">Evidence (second-line hormone therapy):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1476"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Compared with megestrol
acetate, all three currently available AI have demonstrated, in
prospective randomized trials, at least equal efficacy and better
tolerability.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_13">13</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_19">19</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_24">24</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In a meta-analysis that included randomized trials of patients who received an AI as either their first or second hormone therapy for metastatic disease, those who were randomly assigned to a third-generation drug (e.g., anastrozole, letrozole, exemestane, or vorozole) lived longer (HR<sub>death</sub> 0.87; 95% CI, 0.82&#x02013;0.93) than those who received standard therapy (tamoxifen or a progestational agent).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_6">6</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335106/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iA</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Two randomized trials that enrolled 400 and 451
patients whose disease had progressed after they received tamoxifen demonstrated that
fulvestrant yielded results similar to those of anastrozole in terms of its impact on PFS.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_25">25</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_26">26</a>] The proper sequence of these therapies is currently not known.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_24">24</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_27">27</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>No benefit has been found in combining anastrozole and fulvestrant in patients who had previously been treated with an AI.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_28">28</a>]</div></li></ol></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1477"><h4>Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor therapy</h4><p id="CDR0000062787__1478">Endocrine therapy is recommended for patients with metastatic hormone receptor&#x02013;positive disease. However, patients inevitably develop resistance to endocrine therapy. Preclinical models and clinical studies suggest that mTOR inhibitors might enhance the efficacy of endocrine therapies. </p><p id="CDR0000062787__1479">Evidence (mTOR inhibitor therapy):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1480"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The Breast Cancer Trial of Oral Everolimus (<a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=638741" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">BOLERO-2</a>) [<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00863655" title="Study NCT00863655" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00863655</a>] was a randomized, phase III, placebo-controlled trial in which patients with hormone receptor&#x02013;positive metastatic breast cancer that is resistant to nonsteroidal aromatase inhibition were randomly assigned to receive either the mTOR inhibitor everolimus plus exemestane, or placebo plus exemestane.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_29">29</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335124/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iDiii</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1481"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>At the interim analysis, median PFS was 6.9 months for everolimus plus exemestane and 2.8 months for placebo plus exemestane (HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.35&#x02013;0.54; <i>P</i> &#x0003c; .001).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The addition of everolimus to exemestane was more toxic than was placebo plus exemestane, with the most-common grade 3 or 4 adverse events being stomatitis (8% vs. 1%), anemia (6% vs. &#x0003c;1%), dyspnea (4% vs. 1%), hyperglycemia (4% vs. &#x0003c;1%), fatigue (4% vs. 1%), and pneumonitis (3% vs. 0%).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The results of this study reported a benefit in PFS with the addition of an mTOR inhibitor to endocrine therapy, but there were more side effects. </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>There was no OS benefit to the combination after further follow-up.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_30">30</a>]</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Evidence of mTOR inhibitor activity in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)&#x02013;positive breast cancer was shown in the double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01007942" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">BOLERO-3</a> (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01007942" title="Study NCT01007942" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT01007942</a>) trial.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_31">31</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335124/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iDiii</a>] In the BOLERO-3 trial, 569 patients with HER2-positive, trastuzumab-resistant breast cancer, who had received previous taxane therapy, were randomly assigned to receive either everolimus plus trastuzumab plus vinorelbine, or placebo plus trastuzumab plus vinorelbine. <ul id="CDR0000062787__1482"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>At median follow-up of 20.2 months, median PFS was 7.0 months in the everolimus group versus 5.78 months in the placebo group (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.65&#x02013;0.95; <i>P</i> = .0067).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Serious adverse events were reported in 117 patients (42%) in the everolimus group and 55 patients (20%) in the placebo group.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Final OS outcomes for this trial have not yet been reported.</div></li></ul></div></li></ol><div id="CDR0000062787__1483"><h5>Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor therapy</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__1484">Cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4 and CDK6) have been implicated in the continued proliferation of hormone receptor&#x02013;positive breast cancer resistant to endocrine therapy. CDK inhibitors have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the first-line setting. Palbociclib is an orally available CDK4/6 inhibitor that has been shown in two trials to enhance the efficacy of endocrine therapy.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1485">Evidence (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor therapy):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1486"><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=601956" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">PALOMA-1/TRIO-18</a> (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00721409" title="Study NCT00721409" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00721409</a>) is an open-label, randomized, phase II trial that compared letrozole alone to palbociclib plus letrozole as the initial therapy for ER-positive postmenopausal patients with advanced disease. Patients were enrolled in two cohorts; the first cohort was selected on the basis of ER positivity, and the second cohort was selected on the basis of a potentially predictive molecular abnormality (CCND1 amplification or p16 loss). Results from the two cohorts were combined when no difference in efficacy of palbociclib plus letrozole in the biomarker subgroups was found.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_32">32</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335131/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiDiii</a>] <ul id="CDR0000062787__1487"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Over 2.5 years, 165 patients were enrolled in the trial. At the time of the final analysis of investigator-assessed PFS, the median PFS in the letrozole-alone group was 10.2 months, versus 20.2 months in the letrozole-plus-palbociclib group (HR, 0.488; 95% CI, 0.319&#x02013;0.748; one-sided <i>P</i> = .0004).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_32">32</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335131/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiDiii</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Mature OS data are not available.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Patients who received palbociclib experienced more-frequent cytopenias, fatigue, and nausea, but grade 3 adverse events aside from cytopenias were uncommon, and there were no episodes of febrile neutropenia. However, more patients on the palbociclib-letrozole arm discontinued treatment for adverse events (13%) than did those on the letrozole-alone arm (2%).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The FDA granted accelerated approval to palbociclib on the basis of these results.</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=752764" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">PALOMA3</a> (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01942135" title="Study NCT01942135" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT01942135</a>) is a double-blind, phase III trial of 521 patients with hormone receptor&#x02013;positive, HER2/neu&#x02013;negative, advanced breast cancer who had relapsed from or progressed on previous endocrine therapy who were randomly assigned to receive either fulvestrant or fulvestrant plus palbociclib. Premenopausal and postmenopausal patients were eligible. Premenopausal patients received goserelin. The preplanned stopping boundary was crossed at the time of the first interim analysis of investigator-assessed PFS.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_33">33</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335121/" class="def">Level of Evidence: 1iC</a>] <ul id="CDR0000062787__1488"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>This analysis showed a median PFS of 9.2 months on the palbociclib-fulvestrant arm versus 3.8 months on the placebo-fulvestrant arm (HR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.32&#x02013;0.56; <i>P</i> &#x0003c; .001).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_33">33</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335121/" class="def">Level of Evidence: 1iC</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Cytopenias, particularly neutropenia, were much more frequent on the palbociclib-containing arm, but febrile neutropenia was very uncommon (0.6%) on both arms. Patients receiving palbociclib had more-frequent fatigue, nausea, and headache.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Global quality of life as assessed by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer questionnaire QLQ-C30 was better maintained on the palbociclib-fulvestrant arm (mean change, -0.9 points vs. -4.0 points; <i>P</i> = 0.03).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Patients continue to receive blinded therapy; OS results are not yet available.</div></li></ul></div></li></ol></div></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1489"><h3>Hormone Receptor&#x02013;Negative Breast Cancer</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__1490">The treatment for hormone receptor&#x02013;negative breast cancer is chemotherapy. (Refer to the <a href="#CDR0000062787__1520">Chemotherapy</a> section of this summary for more information.)</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1491"><h3>HER2/neu&#x02013;Positive Breast Cancer</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__1492">Antibody therapy targeting the HER2 pathway has been used since the 1990s and has revolutionized the treatment of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. A number of HER2-targeted agents (e.g., trastuzumab, pertuzumab, ado-trastuzumab emtansine, lapatinib) have been approved for treatment of this disease.</p><div id="CDR0000062787__1493"><h4>Monoclonal antibody therapy</h4><div id="CDR0000062787__1494"><h5>Trastuzumab
</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__1495">Approximately 20% to 25% of patients with breast cancer have tumors that overexpress
HER2/neu.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_34">34</a>] Trastuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that
binds to the HER2/neu receptor.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_34">34</a>] In patients previously treated with
cytotoxic chemotherapy whose tumors overexpress HER2/neu, administration of
trastuzumab as a single agent resulted in a response rate of 21%.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_35">35</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000587991/" class="def">Level of evidence: 3iiiDiv</a>]
</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1496">Evidence (trastuzumab):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1497"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In a phase III trial, patients with metastatic disease
were randomly assigned to receive either chemotherapy alone (doxorubicin and
cyclophosphamide or paclitaxel) or the same chemotherapy plus trastuzumab.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_36">36</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]
<ul id="CDR0000062787__1498"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Patients treated with chemotherapy plus trastuzumab had an OS advantage over those who received chemotherapy alone (25.1 months vs.
20.3 months, <i>P</i> = .05).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_36">36</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>] </div></li></ul></div></li></ol><p id="CDR0000062787__1499">Notably, when combined with
doxorubicin, trastuzumab is associated with significant cardiac toxicity.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_37">37</a>]</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1500">Clinical trials comparing multiagent chemotherapy plus trastuzumab with single-agent chemotherapy have yielded conflicting results. </p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1501"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In one randomized study of patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with trastuzumab, paclitaxel, and carboplatin, patients tolerated the combination well and had a longer time to disease progression, compared with those treated with trastuzumab and paclitaxel alone.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_38">38</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335124/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iDiii</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>However, no difference in OS, time to disease progression, or response rate was shown in the Breast Cancer International Research Group&#x02019;s phase III trial (<a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=257580" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">BCIRG-007</a> [<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00047255" title="Study NCT00047255" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00047255</a>]) that compared carboplatin and docetaxel plus trastuzumab versus docetaxel plus trastuzumab as first-line chemotherapy for metastatic HER2-overexpressing breast cancer.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_39">39</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>] </div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__1502">Outside of a clinical trial, standard first-line treatment for metastatic HER2-overexpressing breast cancer is single-agent chemotherapy plus trastuzumab.</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1503"><h5>Pertuzumab</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__1504">Pertuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to a different epitope at the HER2 extracellular domain than does trastuzumab. The binding of pertuzumab to HER2 prevents dimerization with other ligand-activated HER receptors, most notably HER3. </p><p id="CDR0000062787__1505">Evidence (pertuzumab):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1506"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The phase III <a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=581017" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">CLEOPATRA</a> (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00567190" title="Study NCT00567190" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00567190</a>) trial assessed the efficacy and safety of pertuzumab plus trastuzumab plus docetaxel versus placebo plus trastuzumab plus docetaxel, in the first-line HER2-positive metastatic setting.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_40">40</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_41">41</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335106/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iA</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1507"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>With a median follow-up of 50 months, the median OS was 40.8 months in the control group versus 56.5 months in the pertuzumab group (HR favoring pertuzumab group, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.56&#x02013;0.84; <i>P</i> &#x0003c; .001). Median PFS per investigator assessment was improved by 6.3 months by the addition of pertuzumab (HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.58&#x02013;0.80).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Median OS was 56.5 months in the pertuzumab group compared with 40.8 months in the placebo group (HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.57&#x02013;0.84; <i>P</i> &#x0003c; .001).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_41">41</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The toxicity profile was similar in both treatment groups, with no increase in cardiac toxic effects seen in the pertuzumab combination arm.</div></li></ul></div></li></ol></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1508"><h5>Ado-trastuzumab emtansine</h5><p id="CDR0000062787__1509">Ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) is an antibody-drug conjugate that incorporates the HER2-targeted antitumor properties of trastuzumab with the cytotoxic activity of the microtubule-inhibitory agent DM1. T-DM1 allows specific intracellular drug delivery to HER2-overexpressing cells, potentially improving the therapeutic index and minimizing exposure of normal tissue. </p><p id="CDR0000062787__1510">Evidence (T-DM1):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1511"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The phase III <a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=634413" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">EMILIA</a> or TDM4370g (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00829166" title="Study NCT00829166" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00829166</a>)
study was a randomized open-label trial that enrolled 991 patients with HER2-overexpressing, unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who were previously treated with trastuzumab and a taxane.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_42">42</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>] Patients were randomly assigned to receive either T-DM1 or lapatinib plus capecitabine. <ul id="CDR0000062787__1512"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Median PFS was 9.6 months with T-DM1 versus 6.4 months with lapatinib plus capecitabine (HR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.55&#x02013;0.77; <i>P</i> &#x0003c; .001).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Median OS at the second interim analysis crossed the stopping boundary for efficacy (30.9 months vs. 25.1 months; HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.55&#x02013;0.85; <i>P </i>&#x0003c; .001).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The incidences of thrombocytopenia and increased serum aminotransferase levels were higher in patients who received T-DM1, whereas the incidences of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and palmar-plantar syndrome were higher in patients who received lapatinib plus capecitabine.</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Further evidence of T-DM1&#x02019;s activity in metastatic HER2-overexpressed breast cancer was shown in a randomized phase II study of T-DM1 versus trastuzumab plus docetaxel.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_43">43</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335131/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiDiii</a>] This trial randomly assigned 137 women with HER2-overexpressed breast cancer in the first-line metastatic setting.<ul id="CDR0000062787__1513"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>At median follow-up of 14 months, median PFS was 9.2 months with trastuzumab plus docetaxel and 14.2 months with T-DM1 (HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.36&#x02013;0.97).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Preliminary OS results were similar between treatment arms. </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>T-DM1 had a favorable safety profile compared with trastuzumab plus docetaxel, with fewer grade 3 adverse events (46.4% vs. 90.9%), adverse events leading to treatment discontinuations (7.2% vs. 40.9%), and serious adverse events (20.3% vs. 25.8%).</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Evidence of activity of T-DM1 in heavily pretreated patients with metastatic, HER2-overexpressed breast cancer who had received previous trastuzumab and lapatinib was shown in the randomized phase III <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01419197" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">TH3RESA</a> (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01419197" title="Study NCT01419197" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT01419197</a>) study of T-DM1 versus physician&#x02019;s choice of treatment.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_44">44</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>] This trial randomly assigned 602 patients in a 2:1 ratio (404 patients assigned to T-DM1 and 198 patients assigned to physician&#x02019;s choice) and allowed crossover to T-DM1. <ul id="CDR0000062787__1514"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>At a median follow-up of 7.2 months in the T-DM1 group and 6.5 months in the physician&#x02019;s choice group, median PFS was 6.2 months in the T-DM1 group and 3.3 months in the physician&#x02019;s choice group (HR, 0.528; 95% CI, 0.422&#x02013;0.661; <i>P</i> &#x0003c; .0001).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Interim OS analysis showed a trend favoring T-DM1, but the stopping boundary was not crossed (HR, 0.552; 95% CI, 0.369&#x02013;0.826; <i>P</i> = .003).</div></li></ul></div></li></ol></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1515"><h4>Tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy</h4><p id="CDR0000062787__1516">Lapatinib is an orally administered tyrosine kinase inhibitor of both HER2/neu and the epidermal growth factor receptor. Lapatinib plus capecitabine has shown activity in patients who have HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer that progressed after treatment with trastuzumab.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1517">Evidence (lapatinib):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1518"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>A nonblinded randomized trial (<a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=371568" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">GSK-EGF100151</a>) compared the combination of capecitabine and lapatinib with capecitabine alone in 324 patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease that progressed after therapies that included anthracyclines, taxanes, and trastuzumab.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_45">45</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1519"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Median time to disease progression in the lapatinib-plus-capecitabine arm was 8.4 months compared with 4.4 months in the capecitabine-alone arm (HR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.34&#x02013;0.71; <i>P</i> &#x0003c; .001).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>There was no difference in OS (HR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.58&#x02013;1.46; <i>P</i> = .72).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_45">45</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Patients on combination therapy were more likely to develop diarrhea, rash, and dyspepsia. (Refer to the PDQ summary on <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062736/#CDR0000062736__119">Gastrointestinal Complications</a> for more information about diarrhea.) </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>No data are available on quality of life or treatment after disease progression. </div></li></ul></div></li></ol></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1520"><h3>Chemotherapy</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__1521">Patients on hormone therapy whose tumors have progressed are candidates for
cytotoxic chemotherapy. There are no data suggesting that combination therapy results in an OS benefit over single-agent therapy. Patients with hormone receptor&#x02013;negative tumors and
those with visceral metastases or symptomatic disease are also candidates for cytotoxic agents.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_46">46</a>]
</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1522">Single agents that have shown activity in metastatic breast cancer include the following:</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1523"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Anthracyclines.
<dl id="CDR0000062787__1524" class="temp-labeled-list"><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Doxorubicin.
</p></dd><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Epirubicin.
</p></dd><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Liposomal doxorubicin.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_47">47</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_50">50</a>]</p></dd><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Mitoxantrone.
</p></dd></dl></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Taxanes.
<dl id="CDR0000062787__1525" class="temp-labeled-list"><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Paclitaxel.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_51">51</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_52">52</a>]
</p></dd><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Docetaxel.</p></dd><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Albumin-bound nanoparticle paclitaxel (ABI-007 or Abraxane).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_53">53</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_54">54</a>]</p></dd></dl></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Alkylating agents.
<dl id="CDR0000062787__1526" class="temp-labeled-list"><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Cyclophosphamide.
</p></dd></dl></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Fluoropyrimidines.
<dl id="CDR0000062787__1527" class="temp-labeled-list"><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Capecitabine.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_55">55</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_57">57</a>]
</p></dd><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">5-Fluorouracil (5-FU).
</p></dd></dl></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Antimetabolites.
<dl id="CDR0000062787__1528" class="temp-labeled-list"><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Methotrexate.
</p></dd></dl></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Vinca alkaloids.
<dl id="CDR0000062787__1529" class="temp-labeled-list"><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Vinorelbine.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_58">58</a>]
</p></dd><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Vinblastine.
</p></dd><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Vincristine.
</p></dd></dl></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Platinum.
<dl id="CDR0000062787__1530" class="temp-labeled-list"><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Carboplatin.</p></dd><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Cisplatin.
</p></dd></dl></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Other.<dl id="CDR0000062787__1531" class="temp-labeled-list"><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Gemcitabine.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_59">59</a>]</p></dd><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Mitomycin C.</p></dd><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Eribulin mesylate.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_60">60</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_61">61</a>]</p></dd><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Ixabepilone.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_62">62</a>]</p></dd></dl></div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__1532">Combination regimens that have shown activity in metastatic breast cancer include the following:
</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1533"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>AC: Doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_63">63</a>]
</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>EC: Epirubicin and cyclophosphamide.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_64">64</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Docetaxel and doxorubicin.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_65">65</a>]
</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>CAF: Cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and 5-FU.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_66">66</a>]
</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>CMF: Cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-FU.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_67">67</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Doxorubicin and paclitaxel.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_68">68</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_69">69</a>]
</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Docetaxel and capecitabine.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_70">70</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Vinorelbine and epirubicin.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_71">71</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Capecitabine and ixabepilone.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_72">72</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Carboplatin and gemcitabine.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_73">73</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Gemcitabine and paclitaxel.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_74">74</a>]</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__1534">There are no data suggesting that combination therapy results in an OS benefit over single-agent therapy. An Eastern Cooperative Oncology intergroup study (E-1193) randomly assigned patients to receive paclitaxel and doxorubicin, given both as a combination and sequentially.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_75">75</a>] Although response rate and time to disease progression were both better for the combination, survival was the same in both groups.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_75">75</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]; [<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_76">76</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_77">77</a>] </p><p id="CDR0000062787__1535">The selection of therapy in individual patients is influenced by the following:</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1536"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Rate of disease progression.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Presence or absence of comorbid medical conditions.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Physician/patient
preference. </div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__1537">At
this time, no data support the superiority of any particular
regimen. Sequential use of single agents or combinations can be used for
patients who relapse with metastatic disease. Combination chemotherapy is often given if there is evidence of rapidly progressive disease or visceral crisis. Combinations of chemotherapy and hormone therapy have
not shown an OS advantage over the sequential use of these
agents.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_1">1</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_78">78</a>]
A systematic review of 17 randomized trials found that the addition of one or more chemotherapy drugs to a chemotherapy regimen in the attempt to intensify the treatment improved tumor response but had no effect on OS.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_79">79</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1538">Decisions regarding the duration of chemotherapy may take into account the following: </p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1539"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Patient preference and goals of treatment.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Presence of toxicities from previous therapies.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Availability of alternative treatment options.</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__1540">The optimal time for patients with responsive or stable disease
has been studied by several groups. For patients who attain a complete
response to initial therapy, two randomized trials have shown a prolonged
DFS after immediate treatment with a different chemotherapy
regimen compared with observation and treatment upon relapse.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_80">80</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_81">81</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>] Neither of these
studies, however, showed an improvement in OS for patients who received
immediate treatment; in one of these studies,[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_81">81</a>] survival was actually
worse in the group that was treated immediately. Similarly, no difference in survival
was noted when patients with partial response or stable disease after initial
therapy were randomly assigned to receive either a different chemotherapy versus
observation [<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_82">82</a>] or a different chemotherapy regimen given at higher versus
lower doses.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_83">83</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>] However, 324 patients who achieved disease control were randomly assigned to maintenance chemotherapy versus observation. Patients who received maintenance chemotherapy (paclitaxel and gemcitabine) had improved PFS at 6 months and improved OS. This was associated with an increased rate of adverse events.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_84">84</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>] Because there is no standard approach for treating metastatic disease, patients
requiring second-line regimens are good candidates for clinical trials.</p><div id="CDR0000062787__1541"><h4>Cardiac toxic effects with anthracyclines</h4><p id="CDR0000062787__1542">The potential for anthracycline-induced cardiac toxic effects should be considered in
the selection of chemotherapeutic regimens for selected patients.
Recognized risk factors for cardiac toxicity include the following:</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1543"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Advanced age.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Previous
chest-wall radiation therapy.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Previous anthracycline exposure.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Hypertension and known underlying heart disease.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Diabetes.</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__1544">The cardioprotective drug dexrazoxane has
been shown to decrease the risk of doxorubicin-induced cardiac toxicity in
patients in controlled studies. The use of this agent has permitted patients
to receive higher cumulative doses of doxorubicin and has allowed patients with
cardiac risk factors to receive doxorubicin.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_85">85</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_88">88</a>] The risk of cardiac
toxicity may also be reduced by administering doxorubicin as a continuous
intravenous infusion.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_89">89</a>]
The American Society of Clinical Oncology guidelines suggest the use of dexrazoxane in patients with metastatic cancer who have received a cumulative dose of doxorubicin of 300 mg/m<sup>2</sup> or more when further treatment with an anthracycline is likely to be of benefit.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_90">90</a>] Dexrazoxane has a similar
protective effect in patients receiving epirubicin.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_91">91</a>]</p></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1545"><h3>High-dose Chemotherapy With Stem Cell Support</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__1546">Studies comparing high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell support versus conventional
chemotherapy in patients with metastatic disease indicate no
OS or relapse-free survival benefit for patients receiving high-dose
chemotherapy with stem cell support.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_92">92</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_93">93</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>] Because of the
absence of data suggesting a benefit from high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell
support, this should be considered only as part of a clinical trial.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_94">94</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_95">95</a>]
</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1547"><h3>Surgery
</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__1548">Surgery may be indicated for select patients. For example, patients may need surgery if the following issues occur:</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1549"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Fungating/painful breast lesions (mastectomy).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Parenchymal brain or
vertebral metastases with spinal cord compression.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Isolated lung metastases.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Pathologic (or impending) fractures.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Pleural or pericardial effusions.
</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__1550">(Refer to the PDQ summary on <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062738/">Cancer Pain</a> for more information; refer to the PDQ summary on <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000352186/">Cardiopulmonary Syndromes</a> for information about pleural and pericardial effusions.)</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1551"><h3>Radiation Therapy
</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__1552">Radiation therapy has a major role in the palliation of localized symptomatic
metastases.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_96">96</a>] Indications for external-beam radiation therapy include the following:</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1553"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Painful bony metastases.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Unresectable central
nervous system metastases (i.e., brain, meninges, and spinal cord).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Bronchial
obstruction.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Fungating/painful breast or chest wall lesions.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>After surgery for decompression of
intracranial or spinal cord metastases.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>After fixation of pathologic
fractures.</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__1554">Strontium 89, a systemically administered radionuclide, can be
administered for palliation of diffuse bony metastases.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_97">97</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_98">98</a>]</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1555"><h3>Bone Modifier Therapy</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__1556">The use of bone modifier therapy to reduce skeletal morbidity in patients with bone
metastases should be considered.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_99">99</a>] Results of randomized trials of
pamidronate and clodronate in patients with bony metastatic disease show
decreased skeletal morbidity.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_100">100</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_102">102</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335121/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iC</a>] Zoledronate has been at least as effective as pamidronate.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_103">103</a>]</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1557">The monoclonal antibody denosumab inhibits the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa beta ligand (RANKL). A meta-analysis of three phase III trials comparing zoledronate versus denosumab for management of bone metastases suggests that denosumab is superior to zoledronate in reducing the risk of a first skeletal-related event, delaying the time to first skeletal-related event and hypercalcemia.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_104">104</a>]</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1558">(Refer to the PDQ summary on <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062738/">Cancer Pain</a> for more information on bisphosphonates.)</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1559"><h3>Bevacizumab</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__1560">Bevacizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against all isoforms of vascular endothelial growth factor&#x02013;A. Its role in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer remains controversial. </p><p id="CDR0000062787__1561">Evidence (bevacizumab for metastatic breast cancer):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1562"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The efficacy and safety of bevacizumab as a second- and third-line treatment for patients with metastatic breast cancer were studied in a single, open-label, randomized trial.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_105">105</a>] The study enrolled 462 patients who had received previous anthracycline and taxane therapy and were randomly assigned to receive capecitabine with or without bevacizumab.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_105">105</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>] <dl id="CDR0000062787__1563" class="temp-labeled-list"><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">The study failed to demonstrate a statistically significant effect on PFS (4.9 months with combination therapy vs. 4.2 months with capecitabine alone; HR, 0.98) or OS (15.1 months vs. 14.5 months).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_105">105</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of Evidence: 1iiA</a>]</p></dd></dl></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div><a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=653700" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">ECOG-2100</a> (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00028990" title="Study NCT00028990" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00028990</a>), an open-label, randomized, phase III trial, compared paclitaxel alone with paclitaxel and bevacizumab.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_106">106</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1564"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The trial demonstrated that the addition of bevacizumab to paclitaxel significantly prolonged median PFS compared with paclitaxel alone as the initial treatment for patients with metastatic breast cancer (11.8 months vs. 5.9 months; HR, 0.60; <i>P</i> &#x0003c; .001).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_106">106</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of Evidence: 1iiA</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The addition of bevacizumab did not improve OS (26.7 months vs. 25.2 months; <i>P</i> = .16).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Notably, patients treated on the bevacizumab-containing arm had significantly higher rates of severe hypertension, proteinuria, cerebrovascular ischemia, and infection.</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The <a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=490119" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">AVADO</a> (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00333775" title="Study NCT00333775" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00333775</a>) trial randomly assigned 736 patients to receive docetaxel plus either placebo or bevacizumab at 7.5 mg/kg or 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks as the initial treatment for patients with metastatic breast cancer.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_107">107</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>] <dl id="CDR0000062787__1565" class="temp-labeled-list"><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">The combination of docetaxel plus bevacizumab at 15 mg/kg, but not 7.5 mg/kg, modestly improved median PFS compared with placebo (10.1 months vs. 8.1 months) but did not improve OS (30.2 months vs. 31.9 months; <i>P</i> = .85).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_107">107</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of Evidence: 1iiA</a>]</p></dd><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">More toxicity was seen in patients in the bevacizumab-containing arms, with significantly higher rates of bleeding and hypertension compared with patients in the placebo arms.</p></dd></dl></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The <a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=460113" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">RIBBON 1</a> (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00262067" title="Study NCT00262067" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00262067</a>) trial randomly assigned 1,237 patients in a 2:1 fashion to receive either standard chemotherapy plus bevacizumab or standard chemotherapy plus placebo.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_108">108</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiA</a>] <dl id="CDR0000062787__1566" class="temp-labeled-list"><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Median PFS was longer for each bevacizumab-containing combination (capecitabine cohort: increased from 5.7 months to 8.6 months; HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.56&#x02013;0.84; log-rank, <i>P</i> &#x0003c; .001; and taxane/anthracycline cohort: increased from 8.0 months to 9.2 months; HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.52&#x02013;0.80; log-rank, <i>P</i> &#x0003c; .001).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_108">108</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335125/" class="def">Level of Evidence: 1iiA</a>]</p></dd><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">No statistically significant differences in OS between the placebo- and bevacizumab-containing arms were observed.</p></dd><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Toxicities associated with bevacizumab were similar to those seen in previous bevacizumab clinical trials.</p></dd></dl></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The <a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=467209" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">RIBBON 2</a> (<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00281697" title="Study NCT00281697" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00281697</a>) trial studied the efficacy of bevacizumab as a second-line treatment for metastatic breast cancer. This trial randomly assigned 684 patients in a 2:1 fashion to receive either standard chemotherapy plus bevacizumab or standard chemotherapy plus placebo.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_109">109</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335106/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iA</a>] <dl id="CDR0000062787__1567" class="temp-labeled-list"><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Median PFS increased from 5.1 to 7.2 months for the bevacizumab-containing treatment arm (stratified HR for PFS, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.64&#x02013;0.93; <i>P</i> = .0072).</p></dd><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">However, no statistically significant difference in OS was seen (16.4 months for chemotherapy plus placebo vs. 18.0 months for chemotherapy plus bevacizumab, <i>P</i> = .3741).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1452_109">109</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335106/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iA</a>] </p></dd><dt>-</dt><dd><p class="no_top_margin">Toxicities associated with bevacizumab were similar to those seen in previous clinical trials.</p></dd></dl></div></li></ol><p id="CDR0000062787__1568">In November 2011, on the basis of the consistent finding that bevacizumab improved PFS only modestly but did not improve OS, and given bevacizumab&#x02019;s considerable toxicity profile, the FDA <a href="http://www.fda.gov/newsevents/newsroom/pressannouncements/ucm280536.htm" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">revoked approval</a> of bevacizumab for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. </p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__TrialSearch_1452_sid_7"><h3>Current Clinical Trials</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__TrialSearch_1452_10">Check the list of NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are now accepting patients with
<a href="http://www.cancer.gov/search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?Diagnosis=41702&#x00026;tt=1&#x00026;format=2" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">metastatic cancer</a>. The list of clinical trials can be further narrowed by location, drug, intervention, and other criteria.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__TrialSearch_1452_18">General information about clinical trials is also available from the <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/clinical-trials" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">NCI website</a>.</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787_rl_1452"><h3>References</h3><ol><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1452_1">Honig SF: Hormonal therapy and chemotherapy. In: Harris JR, Morrow M, Lippman ME, et al., eds.: Diseases of the Breast. 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[<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11078487" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 11078487</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1452_4">Nabholtz JM, Buzdar A, Pollak M, et al.: Anastrozole is superior to tamoxifen as first-line therapy for advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women: results of a North American multicenter randomized trial. Arimidex Study Group. J Clin Oncol 18 (22): 3758-67, 2000. 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Eur J Cancer 31A (2): 137-42, 1995. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7718316" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 7718316</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1452_11">Klijn JG, Blamey RW, Boccardo F, et al.: Combined tamoxifen and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist versus LHRH agonist alone in premenopausal advanced breast cancer: a meta-analysis of four randomized trials. J Clin Oncol 19 (2): 343-53, 2001. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11208825" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 11208825</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1452_12">Klijn JG, Beex LV, Mauriac L, et al.: Combined treatment with buserelin and tamoxifen in premenopausal metastatic breast cancer: a randomized study. J Natl Cancer Inst 92 (11): 903-11, 2000. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10841825" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 10841825</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1452_13">Buzdar AU, Jones SE, Vogel CL, et al.: A phase III trial comparing anastrozole (1 and 10 milligrams), a potent and selective aromatase inhibitor, with megestrol acetate in postmenopausal women with advanced breast carcinoma. Arimidex Study Group. Cancer 79 (4): 730-9, 1997. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9024711" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 9024711</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1452_14">Dombernowsky P, Smith I, Falkson G, et al.: Letrozole, a new oral aromatase inhibitor for advanced breast cancer: double-blind randomized trial showing a dose effect and improved efficacy and tolerability compared with megestrol acetate. J Clin Oncol 16 (2): 453-61, 1998. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9469328" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 9469328</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1452_15">Jonat W, Howell A, Blomqvist C, et al.: A randomised trial comparing two doses of the new selective aromatase inhibitor anastrozole (Arimidex) with megestrol acetate in postmenopausal patients with advanced breast cancer. Eur J Cancer 32A (3): 404-12, 1996. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8814682" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 8814682</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1452_16">Gershanovich M, Chaudri HA, Campos D, et al.: Letrozole, a new oral aromatase inhibitor: randomised trial comparing 2.5 mg daily, 0.5 mg daily and aminoglutethimide in postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer. Letrozole International Trial Group (AR/BC3). Ann Oncol 9 (6): 639-45, 1998. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9681078" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 9681078</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1452_17">Peethambaram PP, Ingle JN, Suman VJ, et al.: Randomized trial of diethylstilbestrol vs. tamoxifen in postmenopausal women with metastatic breast cancer. 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[<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21990397" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 21990397</span></a>]</div></li></ol></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1569"><h2 id="_CDR0000062787__1569_">Ductal Carcinoma <i>In Situ</i></h2><div id="CDR0000062787__1570"><h3>Introduction</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__1571">Ductal carcinoma <i>in situ</i> (DCIS) is a noninvasive condition. DCIS can progress to invasive cancer, but estimates of the probability of this vary widely. Some reports include DCIS in breast cancer statistics. In 2015, DCIS is expected to account for about 16% of all newly diagnosed invasive plus noninvasive breast tumors in the United States.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1569_1">1</a>] For invasive and noninvasive tumors detected by screening, DCIS accounts for approximately 25% of all cases.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1572">The frequency of a DCIS diagnosis has increased markedly in the United States since the use of screening mammography became widespread. Very few cases of DCIS present as a palpable mass,
with more than 90% being diagnosed by mammography alone.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1569_2">2</a>]</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1573">DCIS comprises a heterogeneous
group of histopathologic lesions that have been classified into the following
subtypes primarily on the basis of architectural pattern:</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__1574"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Micropapillary.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Papillary.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Solid.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Cribriform.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Comedo.</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__1575">Comedo-type DCIS consists of cells that appear
cytologically malignant, with the presence of high-grade nuclei,
pleomorphism, and abundant central luminal necrosis. Comedo-type DCIS appears
to be more aggressive, with a higher probability of associated invasive ductal
carcinoma.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1569_3">3</a>]</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__1576"><h3>Treatment Options for Patients with DCIS</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__1578">Treatment options for DCIS include the following:</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1579"><li class="half_rhythm"><div> Breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy plus radiation therapy with or without tamoxifen.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Total mastectomy with or without tamoxifen.
</div></li></ol><p id="CDR0000062787__1580">In the past, the customary treatment for DCIS was mastectomy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1569_4">4</a>] The
rationale for mastectomy included a 30% incidence of multicentric disease, a
40% prevalence of residual tumor at mastectomy after wide excision alone,
and a 25% to 50% incidence of in-breast recurrence after limited surgery for
palpable tumor, with 50% of those recurrences being invasive carcinoma.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1569_4">4</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1569_5">5</a>]
The combined local and distant recurrence rate after mastectomy is 1% to
2%.
No randomized comparisons of mastectomy versus breast-conserving surgery plus breast radiation therapy are available.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1581">Because breast-conserving surgery combined with breast radiation therapy is successful for invasive carcinoma, this conservative approach was extended to DCIS. To determine whether breast-conserving surgery plus radiation therapy was a reasonable approach to the management of DCIS, the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) have each completed prospective randomized trials in which women with localized DCIS and negative surgical margins after excisional biopsy were randomly assigned to either breast radiation therapy (50 Gy) or no further therapy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1569_6">6</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1569_9">9</a>]
</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1582">Evidence (breast-conserving surgery plus radiation therapy to the breast):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1583"><li class="half_rhythm"><div class="half_rhythm">Of the 818 women enrolled in the NSABP-B-17 trial, 80% were diagnosed by mammography, and 70% of the patients' lesions were 1 cm or smaller. Results were reported at the 12-year actuarial follow-up interval.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1569_7">7</a>]; [<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1569_9">9</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335129/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiDii</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1584"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The overall rate of in-breast tumor recurrence was reduced from 31.7% to 15.7% when radiation therapy was delivered (<i>P</i> &#x0003c; .005). </div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div> Radiation therapy reduced the occurrence of invasive cancer from 16.8% to 7.7% (<i>P</i> = .001) and recurrent DCIS from 14.6% to 8.0% (<i>P</i> = .001).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Nine pathologic features were evaluated for their ability to predict for in-breast recurrence, but only comedo necrosis was determined to be a significant predictor for recurrence.</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div class="half_rhythm">Similarly, of the 1,010 patients enrolled in the EORTC-10853 trial, mammography detected lesions in 71% of the women. Results were reported at a median follow-up of 10.5 years.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1569_9">9</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335129/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiDii</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1585"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The overall rate of in-breast tumor recurrence was reduced from 26% to 15% (<i>P</i> &#x0003c; .001), with a similarly effective reduction of invasive recurrence rates (13% to 8%, <i>P</i> = .065) and noninvasive recurrence rates (14% to 7%, <i>P</i> = .001).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In this analysis, parameters associated with an increased risk of in-breast recurrence included age 40 years or younger, palpable disease, intermediate or poorly differentiated DCIS, cribriform or solid growth pattern, and indeterminate margins. Elsewhere, margins of less than 1 mm have been associated with an unacceptable local recurrence rate, even with radiation therapy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1569_10">10</a>]</div></li></ul></div><div class="half_rhythm">In both of these studies, the effect of radiation therapy was consistent across all assessed risk factors.</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div class="half_rhythm">The benefit of administering radiation therapy has been confirmed in a systematic review of four randomized trials (hazard ratio [HR], 0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.41&#x02013;0.58; <i>P</i> &#x0003c; .00001). In this study, the number needed to treat with radiation therapy was nine women to prevent one ipsilateral breast recurrence.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1569_11">11</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div class="half_rhythm">A large national
clinical trial by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (<a href="http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?version=healthprofessional&#x00026;cdrid=67020" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">RTOG-9804</a> [<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00003857" title="Study NCT00003857" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=clinical-trial">NCT00003857</a>]) comparing breast-conserving surgery and tamoxifen with or
without radiation therapy was closed because of poor accrual (636 of planned 1,790 patients accrued). Patients with good-risk DCIS (defined as mammographically detected low- or intermediate-grade DCIS, measuring less than 2.5 cm with margins of 3 mm or more) were enrolled.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1569_12">12</a>]<ul id="CDR0000062787__1587"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>With a median follow-up of 7 years, the ipsilateral local failure rate was low with observation (6.7%; 95% CI, 3.2%&#x02013;9.6%) but was decreased significantly with the addition of radiation therapy (0.9%; 95% CI, 0.0%&#x02013;2.2%).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1569_12">12</a>]</div></li></ul></div></li></ol><p id="CDR0000062787__1588">The results of the NSABP-B-17 and EORTC-10853 trials plus two others were included in a meta-analysis that demonstrated reductions in all ipsilateral breast events (HR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.41&#x02013;0.58; <i>P</i> &#x0003c; .00001), ipsilateral invasive recurrence (HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.32&#x02013;0.76; <i>P</i> = .001), and ipsilateral DCIS recurrence (HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.39&#x02013;0.95; <i>P</i> = .03).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1569_13">13</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000632558/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iiD</a>] After 10 years of follow-up, there was, however, no significant effect on breast cancer mortality, mortality from causes other than breast cancer, or all-cause mortality.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1569_11">11</a>] </p><p id="CDR0000062787__1589">To identify a favorable group of patients for whom postoperative radiation therapy could be omitted, several pathologic
staging systems have been developed and tested retrospectively, but consensus
recommendations have not been achieved.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1569_14">14</a>-<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1569_17">17</a>]</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1590">The Van Nuys Prognostic Index is one pathologic staging system that combines three predictors of local recurrence (i.e., tumor size, margin
width, and pathologic classification). It was used to retrospectively analyze 333
patients treated with either excision alone or excision and radiation
therapy.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1569_17">17</a>] Using this prognostic index, patients with favorable lesions who
received surgical excision alone had a low recurrence rate (i.e., 2%, with a median
follow-up of 79 months). A subsequent analysis of these data was performed to
determine the influence of margin width on local control.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1569_18">18</a>] Patients whose
excised lesions had margin widths of 10 mm or more in every direction
had an extremely low probability of local recurrence with surgery alone (4%,
with a mean follow-up of 8 years). </p><p id="CDR0000062787__1591">Both reviews
are retrospective, noncontrolled, and subject to substantial selection
bias. In contrast, the prospective NSABP trial did not identify any subset of patients who did not benefit from the addition of radiation
therapy to breast-conserving surgery in the management of DCIS.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1569_3">3</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1569_6">6</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1569_13">13</a>,<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1569_19">19</a>]
</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1592">To determine whether tamoxifen adds to the efficacy of local
therapy in the management of DCIS, the NSABP performed a double-blind
prospective trial (NSABP-B-24).</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1593">Evidence (adjuvant endocrine therapy):</p><ol id="CDR0000062787__1594"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In NSABP-B-24, 1,804 women were randomly assigned to receive
breast-conserving surgery, radiation therapy (50 Gy), and placebo or breast-conserving surgery, radiation
therapy, and tamoxifen (20 mg/day for 5 years).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1569_20">20</a>] Positive or unknown
surgical margins were present in 23% of patients. Approximately 80% of the
lesions measured 1 cm or less, and more than 80% were detected
mammographically. Breast cancer events were defined as the presence of new
ipsilateral disease, contralateral disease, or metastases. <ul id="CDR0000062787__1595"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Women in the
tamoxifen group had fewer breast cancer events at 5 years than did those treated with a
placebo (8.2% vs. 13.4%; <i>P</i> = .009).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1569_20">20</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335123/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iDii</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>With
tamoxifen, ipsilateral invasive breast cancer decreased from 4.2% to 2.1% at 5
years (<i>P</i> = .03).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Tamoxifen also decreased the incidence of contralateral breast
neoplasms (invasive and noninvasive) from 0.8% per year to 0.4% per year
(<i>P</i> = .01).</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The benefit of tamoxifen extended to patients with positive or
uncertain margins.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1569_21">21</a>] (Refer to the PDQ summary on <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062779/">Breast Cancer Prevention</a>
for more information.)
</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>No survival advantage was demonstrated for the use of tamoxifen.</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In NSABP-B-24, 1,804 women were randomly assigned to receive
breast-conserving surgery, radiation therapy (50 Gy), and placebo or breast-conserving surgery, radiation
therapy, and tamoxifen (20 mg/day for 5 years).[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1569_20">20</a>] Positive or unknown
surgical margins were present in 23% of patients. Approximately 80% of the
lesions measured 1 cm or less, and more than 80% were detected
mammographically. Breast cancer events were defined as the presence of new
ipsilateral disease, contralateral disease, or metastases. <ul id="CDR0000062787__1596"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>No survival advantage was demonstrated for the use of tamoxifen.</div></li></ul></div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>In the NSABP-B35 placebo-controlled study, 3,100 postmenopausal women with DCIS who were treated with breast-conserving surgery were randomly assigned to receive either adjuvant tamoxifen or anastrozole, in addition to adjuvant radiation therapy.<ul id="CDR0000062787__1597"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The use of anastrozole was associated with significantly fewer breast cancer events (HR, 0.73; <i>P</i> = .03) but no improvement in survival.[<a class="bk_pop" href="#CDR0000062787_rl_1569_22">22</a>][<a href="/books/n/pdqcis/glossary_loe/def-item/glossary_loe_CDR0000335122/" class="def">Level of evidence: 1iDi</a>]</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>The study has been reported in abstract form thus far, and final publication is awaited.</div></li></ul></div></li></ol><p id="CDR0000062787__1598">The decision to prescribe endocrine therapy after a diagnosis of DCIS often involves a discussion with the patient about the potential benefits and side effects of each agent. </p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__TrialSearch_1569_sid_8"><h3>Current Clinical Trials</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__TrialSearch_1569_10">Check the list of NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are now accepting patients with
<a href="http://www.cancer.gov/search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?Diagnosis=39839&#x00026;tt=1&#x00026;format=2" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">ductal breast carcinoma in situ</a>. The list of clinical trials can be further narrowed by location, drug, intervention, and other criteria.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__TrialSearch_1569_18">General information about clinical trials is also available from the <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/clinical-trials" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">NCI website</a>.</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787_rl_1569"><h3>References</h3><ol><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1569_1">American Cancer Society: Cancer Facts and Figures 2015. Atlanta, Ga: American Cancer Society, 2015. <a href="http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@editorial/documents/document/acspc-044552.pdf" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">Available online</a>. Last accessed June 28, 2016.</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1569_2">Siegel R, Ward E, Brawley O, et al.: Cancer statistics, 2011: the impact of eliminating socioeconomic and racial disparities on premature cancer deaths. CA Cancer J Clin 61 (4): 212-36, 2011 Jul-Aug. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21685461" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 21685461</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1569_3">Fisher ER, Dignam J, Tan-Chiu E, et al.: Pathologic findings from the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast Project (NSABP) eight-year update of Protocol B-17: intraductal carcinoma. Cancer 86 (3): 429-38, 1999. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10430251" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 10430251</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1569_4">Fonseca R, Hartmann LC, Petersen IA, et al.: Ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast. Ann Intern Med 127 (11): 1013-22, 1997. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9412283" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 9412283</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1569_5">Lagios MD, Westdahl PR, Margolin FR, et al.: Duct carcinoma in situ. Relationship of extent of noninvasive disease to the frequency of occult invasion, multicentricity, lymph node metastases, and short-term treatment failures. Cancer 50 (7): 1309-14, 1982. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6286091" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 6286091</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1569_6">Fisher B, Dignam J, Wolmark N, et al.: Lumpectomy and radiation therapy for the treatment of intraductal breast cancer: findings from National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project B-17. J Clin Oncol 16 (2): 441-52, 1998. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9469327" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 9469327</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1569_7">Fisher B, Land S, Mamounas E, et al.: Prevention of invasive breast cancer in women with ductal carcinoma in situ: an update of the national surgical adjuvant breast and bowel project experience. Semin Oncol 28 (4): 400-18, 2001. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11498833" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 11498833</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1569_8">Julien JP, Bijker N, Fentiman IS, et al.: Radiotherapy in breast-conserving treatment for ductal carcinoma in situ: first results of the EORTC randomised phase III trial 10853. EORTC Breast Cancer Cooperative Group and EORTC Radiotherapy Group. Lancet 355 (9203): 528-33, 2000. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10683002" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 10683002</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1569_9">Bijker N, Meijnen P, Peterse JL, et al.: Breast-conserving treatment with or without radiotherapy in ductal carcinoma-in-situ: ten-year results of European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer randomized phase III trial 10853--a study by the EORTC Breast Cancer Cooperative Group and EORTC Radiotherapy Group. J Clin Oncol 24 (21): 3381-7, 2006. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16801628" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 16801628</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1569_10">Chan KC, Knox WF, Sinha G, et al.: Extent of excision margin width required in breast conserving surgery for ductal carcinoma in situ. Cancer 91 (1): 9-16, 2001. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11148554" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 11148554</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1569_11">Correa C, McGale P, Taylor C, et al.: Overview of the randomized trials of radiotherapy in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr 2010 (41): 162-77, 2010. [<a href="/pmc/articles/PMC5161078/" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pmc">PMC free article<span class="bk_prnt">: PMC5161078</span></a>] [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20956824" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 20956824</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1569_12">McCormick B, Winter K, Hudis C, et al.: RTOG 9804: a prospective randomized trial for good-risk ductal carcinoma in situ comparing radiotherapy with observation. J Clin Oncol 33 (7): 709-15, 2015. [<a href="/pmc/articles/PMC4334775/" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pmc">PMC free article<span class="bk_prnt">: PMC4334775</span></a>] [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25605856" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 25605856</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1569_13">Goodwin A, Parker S, Ghersi D, et al.: Post-operative radiotherapy for ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 11: CD000563, 2013. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24259251" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 24259251</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1569_14">Page DL, Lagios MD: Pathologic analysis of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast Project (NSABP) B-17 Trial. Unanswered questions remaining unanswered considering current concepts of ductal carcinoma in situ. Cancer 75 (6): 1219-22; discussion 1223-7, 1995. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7882273" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 7882273</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1569_15">Fisher ER, Costantino J, Fisher B, et al.: Response - blunting the counterpoint. Cancer 75 (6): 1223-1227, 1995.</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1569_16">Holland R, Peterse JL, Millis RR, et al.: Ductal carcinoma in situ: a proposal for a new classification. Semin Diagn Pathol 11 (3): 167-80, 1994. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7831528" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 7831528</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1569_17">Silverstein MJ, Lagios MD, Craig PH, et al.: A prognostic index for ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast. Cancer 77 (11): 2267-74, 1996. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8635094" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 8635094</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1569_18">Silverstein MJ, Lagios MD, Groshen S, et al.: The influence of margin width on local control of ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast. N Engl J Med 340 (19): 1455-61, 1999. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10320383" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 10320383</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1569_19">Goodwin A, Parker S, Ghersi D, et al.: Post-operative radiotherapy for ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast--a systematic review of the randomised trials. Breast 18 (3): 143-9, 2009. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19447038" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 19447038</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1569_20">Fisher B, Dignam J, Wolmark N, et al.: Tamoxifen in treatment of intraductal breast cancer: National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project B-24 randomised controlled trial. Lancet 353 (9169): 1993-2000, 1999. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10376613" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 10376613</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1569_21">Houghton J, George WD, Cuzick J, et al.: Radiotherapy and tamoxifen in women with completely excised ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand: randomised controlled trial. Lancet 362 (9378): 95-102, 2003. [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12867108" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=entrez&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=pubmed">PubMed<span class="bk_prnt">: 12867108</span></a>]</div></li><li><div class="bk_ref" id="CDR0000062787_rl_1569_22">Margolese RG, Cecchini RS, Julian TB, et al.: Primary results, NRG Oncology/NSABP B-35: A clinical trial of anastrozole (A) versus tamoxifen (tam) in postmenopausal patients with DCIS undergoing lumpectomy plus radiotherapy. [Abstract] J Clin Oncol 33 (Suppl 15): A-LBA500, 2015. <a href="http://meetinglibrary.asco.org/content/146144-156" ref="pagearea=cite-ref&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">Available online</a>. Last accessed June 28, 2016.</div></li></ol></div></div><div id="CDR0000062787__298"><h2 id="_CDR0000062787__298_">Changes to This Summary (08/03/2016)</h2><p id="CDR0000062787__1105">The PDQ cancer information summaries are reviewed regularly and updated as
new information becomes available. This section describes the latest
changes made to this summary as of the date above.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1672"><b><a href="#CDR0000062787__1">General Information About Breast Cancer</a></b></p><p id="CDR0000062787__1673">The <a href="#CDR0000062787__1678">Prognostic and Predictive Factors</a> subsection was extensively revised.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1415"><b><a href="#CDR0000062787__1375">Early/Localized/Operable Breast Cancer</a></b></p><p id="CDR0000062787__1664">Added <a href="#CDR0000062787__1651">text</a> to state that for patients undergoing partial mastectomy, margins may be positive after primary surgery, often leading to re-excision. Added that a clinical trial of 235 patients with stage 0 to III breast cancer, who underwent partial mastectomy, with or without resection of selective margins, randomly assigned patients to have additional cavity shave margins resected or not; patients in the shave group had a significantly lower rate of positive margins than those in the no-shave group and a lower rate of second surgery for clearing margins (cited Chagpar et al. as reference 21 and level of evidence 1iiDiv).</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1665">Revised <a href="/books/NBK65744.8/#CDR0000062787__1195">text</a> to state that a meta-analysis of dose-dense treatment versus standard dosing included data from eight trials that included 17,188 patients (cited Petrelli et al. as reference 94). Also added that the patients who received dose-dense chemotherapy had better overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival than those on the conventional schedule; a statistically significant OS benefit was observed in patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-negative tumors but not in those with ER-positive breast cancer. </p><p id="CDR0000062787__1666">Added <a href="#CDR0000062787__1109">Duration of aromatase inhibitor therapy</a> as a new subsection.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1667">Added <a href="#CDR0000062787__1662">text</a> to state that pathologic complete response (pCR) has been utilized as a surrogate endpoint for long-term outcomes in preoperative clinical trials in breast cancer. Also added that a pooled analysis of 11 preoperative randomized trials determined that pCR provided a better association with improved outcomes compared with eradication of invasive tumor from the breast alone; pCR could not be validated in this study as a surrogate endpoint for improved event-free survival (EFS) and OS (cited Cortazar et al. as reference 163 and level of evidence 3iiiD). Added that on the basis of a strong association of pCR with substantially improved outcomes in individual patients with more aggressive subtypes of breast cancer, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has supported the use of pCR as an endpoint in preoperative clinical trials for patients with high-risk, early-stage breast cancer.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1668">Added <a href="/books/NBK65744.8/#CDR0000062787__1280">text</a> to state findings from the phase III GeparSepto trial that investigated an alternative taxane in patients with untreated primary breast cancer, including the pCR rates in two arms (cited Untch et al. as reference 176 and level of evidence 1iiDiv).</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1669"> Added text to state that CALGB 40601 was a phase III trial that randomly assigned patients with stage II and III HER2-positive breast cancer to receive either paclitaxel plus trastuzumab or paclitaxel plus trastuzumab plus lapatinib; the primary endpoint of the study was pCR in the breast (cited Carey et al. as reference 191 and level of evidence 1iiDiv). Also added that pCR in patients who received paclitaxel plus trastuzumab arm 46%, and pCR in patients who received paclitaxel plus trastuzumab plus lapatinib was 56%, indicating no benefit for the addition of lapatinib.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1670">Revised <a href="/books/NBK65744.8/#CDR0000062787__1305">text</a> to state that the NeoALTTO phase III trial randomly assigned 455 women with HER2-positive early-stage breast cancer to receive preoperative lapatinib, or preoperative trastuzumab, or preoperative lapatinib plus trastuzumab. Also added that an updated analysis for the prespecified secondary endpoints of EFS and OS indicated no difference between the groups (cited de Azambuja et al. as reference 192).</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1671">Added <a href="#CDR0000062787__1655">text</a> to state that findings from a meta-analysis of randomized trials evaluated the administration of anti-HER2 monotherapy versus dual anti-HER2 therapy (cited Valachis et al. as reference 194 and level of evidence 3iiiD), including findings about left ventricular ejection fraction decline and symptomatic heart failure.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1674"><b><a href="#CDR0000062787__1699">Locally Advanced or Inflammatory Breast Cancer</a></b></p><p id="CDR0000062787__1675">Revised <a href="#CDR0000062787__1705">text</a> to state that the standard chemotherapy regimen for initial treatment is the same as that used in the adjuvant setting, although trials done solely in patients with locally advanced disease have not shown a statistically significant advantage to dose-dense chemotherapy (cited Petrelli et al. as reference 1).</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1676">Revised <a href="/books/NBK65744.8/#CDR0000062787__1709">text</a> to state that in a retrospective series, 70 patients with locally advanced breast cancer and supraclavicular metastases received preoperative chemotherapy. Added that these results have been confirmed in a separate series of patients treated in British Columbia (cited Olivotto et al. as reference 4).</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1677">Added <a href="#CDR0000062787__1711">text</a> to state that subsequent trials have confirmed that patients with locally advanced and inflammatory breast cancer can experience long-term disease-free survival when treated with initial chemotherapy.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__1716"><b><a href="#CDR0000062787__1569">Ductal Carcinoma in Situ</a></b></p><p id="CDR0000062787__1717">Added Goodwin et al. as <a href="#CDR0000062787__1588">reference 13</a>.</p><p id="CDR0000062787__disclaimerHP_3">This summary is written and maintained by the <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/publications/pdq/editorial-boards/adult-treatment" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">PDQ Adult Treatment Editorial Board</a>, which is
editorially independent of NCI. The summary reflects an independent review of
the literature and does not represent a policy statement of NCI or NIH. More
information about summary policies and the role of the PDQ Editorial Boards in
maintaining the PDQ summaries can be found on the <a href="#CDR0000062787__AboutThis_1">About This PDQ Summary</a> and <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/publications/pdq" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">PDQ&#x000ae; - NCI's Comprehensive Cancer Database</a> pages.
</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__AboutThis_1"><h2 id="_CDR0000062787__AboutThis_1_">About This PDQ Summary</h2><div id="CDR0000062787__AboutThis_2"><h3>Purpose of This Summary</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__AboutThis_3">This PDQ cancer information summary for health professionals provides comprehensive, peer-reviewed, evidence-based information about the treatment of breast cancer. It is intended as a resource to inform and assist clinicians who care for cancer patients. It does not provide formal guidelines or recommendations for making health care decisions.</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__AboutThis_4"><h3>Reviewers and Updates</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__AboutThis_5">This summary is reviewed regularly and updated as necessary by the <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/publications/pdq/editorial-boards/adult-treatment" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">PDQ Adult Treatment Editorial Board</a>, which is editorially independent of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The summary reflects an independent review of the literature and does not represent a policy statement of NCI or the National Institutes of Health (NIH).</p><p id="CDR0000062787__AboutThis_22"> Board members review recently published articles each month to determine whether an article should:</p><ul id="CDR0000062787__AboutThis_6"><li class="half_rhythm"><div>be discussed at a meeting,</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>be cited with text, or</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>replace or update an existing article that is already cited.</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__AboutThis_7">Changes to the summaries are made through a consensus process in which Board members evaluate the strength of the evidence in the published articles and determine how the article should be included in the summary.</p><p>The lead reviewers for Breast Cancer Treatment are:</p><ul><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Roisin Connolly, MB, BCh (Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins)</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Beverly Moy, MD, MPH (Massachusetts General Hospital)</div></li><li class="half_rhythm"><div>Joseph L. Pater, MD (NCIC-Clinical Trials Group)</div></li></ul><p id="CDR0000062787__AboutThis_9">Any comments or questions about the summary content should be submitted to Cancer.gov through the NCI website's <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/contact/email-us" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">Email Us</a>. Do not contact the individual Board Members with questions or comments about the summaries. Board members will not respond to individual inquiries.</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__AboutThis_10"><h3>Levels of Evidence</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__AboutThis_11">Some of the reference citations in this summary are accompanied by a level-of-evidence designation. These designations are intended to help readers assess the strength of the evidence supporting the use of specific interventions or approaches. The PDQ Adult Treatment Editorial Board uses a <a href="/books/n/pdqcis/CDR0000062796/">formal evidence ranking system</a> in developing its level-of-evidence designations.</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__AboutThis_12"><h3>Permission to Use This Summary</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__AboutThis_13">PDQ is a registered trademark. Although the content of PDQ documents can be used freely as text, it cannot be identified as an NCI PDQ cancer information summary unless it is presented in its entirety and is regularly updated. However, an author would be permitted to write a sentence such as &#x0201c;NCI&#x02019;s PDQ cancer information summary about breast cancer prevention states the risks succinctly: [include excerpt from the summary].&#x0201d;</p><p id="CDR0000062787__AboutThis_14">The preferred citation for this PDQ summary is:</p><p id="CDR0000062787__AboutThis_15">PDQ&#x000ae; Adult Treatment Editorial Board. PDQ Breast Cancer Treatment. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute. Updated &#x0003c;MM/DD/YYYY&#x0003e;. Available at: <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/hp/breast-treatment-pdq" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">http://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/hp/breast-treatment-pdq</a>. Accessed &#x0003c;MM/DD/YYYY&#x0003e;. [PMID: 26389406]</p><p id="CDR0000062787__AboutThis_16">Images in this summary are used with permission of the author(s), artist, and/or publisher for use within the PDQ summaries only. Permission to use images outside the context of PDQ information must be obtained from the owner(s) and cannot be granted by the National Cancer Institute. Information about using the illustrations in this summary, along with many other cancer-related images, is available in <a href="http://visualsonline.cancer.gov/" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">Visuals Online</a>, a collection of over 2,000 scientific images.
</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__AboutThis_17"><h3>Disclaimer</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__AboutThis_18">Based on the strength of the available evidence, treatment options may be described as either &#x0201c;standard&#x0201d; or &#x0201c;under clinical evaluation.&#x0201d; These classifications should not be used as a basis for insurance reimbursement determinations. More information on insurance coverage is available on Cancer.gov on the <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/managing-care" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">Managing Cancer Care</a> page.</p></div><div id="CDR0000062787__AboutThis_20"><h3>Contact Us</h3><p id="CDR0000062787__AboutThis_21">More information about contacting us or receiving help with the Cancer.gov website can be found on our <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/contact" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">Contact Us for Help</a> page. Questions can also be submitted to Cancer.gov through the website&#x02019;s <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/contact/email-us" ref="pagearea=body&amp;targetsite=external&amp;targetcat=link&amp;targettype=uri">Email Us</a>.</p></div></div></div></div>
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<div xmlns:np="http://ncbi.gov/portal/XSLT/namespace" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"></div><div class="portlet"><div class="portlet_head"><div class="portlet_title"><h3><span>Views</span></h3></div><a name="Shutter" sid="1" href="#" class="portlet_shutter" title="Show/hide content" remembercollapsed="true" pgsec_name="PDF_download" id="Shutter"></a></div><div class="portlet_content"><ul xmlns:np="http://ncbi.gov/portal/XSLT/namespace" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" class="simple-list"><li><a href="/books/NBK65744.8/?report=reader">PubReader</a></li><li><a href="/books/NBK65744.8/?report=printable">Print View</a></li><li><a data-jig="ncbidialog" href="#_ncbi_dlg_citbx_NBK65744" data-jigconfig="width:400,modal:true">Cite this Page</a><div id="_ncbi_dlg_citbx_NBK65744" style="display:none" title="Cite this Page"><div class="bk_tt">PDQ Adult Treatment Editorial Board. Breast Cancer Treatment (PDQ®): Health Professional Version. 2016 Aug 3. In: PDQ Cancer Information Summaries [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Cancer Institute (US); 2002-. <span class="bk_cite_avail"></span></div></div></li><li><a href="#" class="toggle-glossary-link" title="Enable/disable links to the glossary">Disable Glossary Links</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="portlet"><div class="portlet_head"><div class="portlet_title"><h3><span>Version History</span></h3></div><a name="Shutter" sid="1" href="#" class="portlet_shutter shutter_closed" title="Show/hide content" remembercollapsed="true" pgsec_name="version_history" id="Shutter"></a></div><div class="portlet_content" style="display: none;"><ul xmlns:np="http://ncbi.gov/portal/XSLT/namespace" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" class="simple-list"><li><span class="bk_col_itm"><a href="/books/NBK65744.56/">NBK65744.56</a></span> December 6, 2024</li><li><span class="bk_col_itm"><a href="/books/NBK65744.55/">NBK65744.55</a></span> October 11, 2024</li><li><span class="bk_col_itm"><a 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ref="log$=inpage&amp;link_id=inpage">General Information About Breast Cancer</a></li><li><a href="#CDR0000062787__18" ref="log$=inpage&amp;link_id=inpage">Histopathologic Classification of Breast Cancer</a></li><li><a href="#CDR0000062787__27" ref="log$=inpage&amp;link_id=inpage">Stage Information for Breast Cancer</a></li><li><a href="#CDR0000062787__1375" ref="log$=inpage&amp;link_id=inpage">Early/Localized/Operable Breast Cancer</a></li><li><a href="#CDR0000062787__1699" ref="log$=inpage&amp;link_id=inpage">Locally Advanced or Inflammatory Breast Cancer</a></li><li><a href="#CDR0000062787__1440" ref="log$=inpage&amp;link_id=inpage">Locoregional Recurrent Breast Cancer</a></li><li><a href="#CDR0000062787__1452" ref="log$=inpage&amp;link_id=inpage">Metastatic Breast Cancer</a></li><li><a href="#CDR0000062787__1569" ref="log$=inpage&amp;link_id=inpage">Ductal Carcinoma <i>In Situ</i></a></li><li><a href="#CDR0000062787__298" ref="log$=inpage&amp;link_id=inpage">Changes to This Summary (08/03/2016)</a></li><li><a href="#CDR0000062787__AboutThis_1" ref="log$=inpage&amp;link_id=inpage">About This PDQ Summary</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="portlet"><div class="portlet_head"><div class="portlet_title"><h3><span>Related publications</span></h3></div><a name="Shutter" sid="1" href="#" class="portlet_shutter" title="Show/hide content" remembercollapsed="true" pgsec_name="document-links" id="Shutter"></a></div><div class="portlet_content"><ul xmlns:np="http://ncbi.gov/portal/XSLT/namespace" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" class="simple-list"><li><a href="/books/NBK65969/">Patient Version</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="portlet"><div class="portlet_head"><div class="portlet_title"><h3><span>Related information</span></h3></div><a name="Shutter" sid="1" href="#" class="portlet_shutter" title="Show/hide content" remembercollapsed="true" pgsec_name="discovery_db_links" id="Shutter"></a></div><div class="portlet_content"><ul><li 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