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Breast Cancer Profiler Main
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Surgery Cancer recurrences following breast surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy) usually occur within two to six years after the initial diagnosis but may be as long as decades later. Breast cancer recurrences may occur in the same breast (for lumpectomy patients), the chest wall or surgical scar (for mastectomy patients) or to another area or organ of the body. Recurrences that occur in the breast or chest wall are called "local recurrences" and are usually detected by the appearance of a new lump in the breast or changes in the mammogram. Any new breast lump or mammography change could represent a recurrence of the first breast cancer, or be a new breast cancer that is unrelated to the prior cancer. A biopsy of the suspicious area will determine the diagnosis and provide guidance for treatment. Treatment options for a local recurrence in the breast or chest wall include surgery or radiation therapy. In most cases, radiation therapy cannot be given twice to the same breast and women who have had a lumpectomy have also received radiation therapy. Hence, the recommended treatment for a local recurrence for lumpectomy patients is mastectomy. In some cases, if the tumor is small and does not involve the skin of the breast, ribs, or chest wall, surgery may still be possible. For mastectomy patients, radiation therapy is usually recommended. Following treatment of the local recurrence, a decision regarding the need for chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy (systemic therapy) will be made by the doctor after careful evaluation of the patient 's individual situation and personal preferences. Important factors that will be considered include: prior chemotherapy or hormone therapy received, side effects experienced by any prior therapy, age, performance status, general health and stage of the disease. When cancer recurs in other areas of the body or distant organs, surgery can often be used if the recurrence is localized as in the breast, for example a small, single tumor in the liver or lung. Surgery can be very helpful in relieving symptoms from large tumors that are causing pain or pressure on another vital organ or body tissue. Surgery in this situation is called "palliative surgery" as the treatment goal is to provide comfort and relief of symptoms rather than cure. Radiation Therapy As described above, radiation therapy is the treatment of choice for a local recurrence to the breast or chest wall following mastectomy. Radiation therapy is also very effective for treating other specific areas of breast cancer recurrence such as the bone or brain.  This content is reviewed regularly. Last Updated 6/6/2007
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