Breast Cancer Treatment in Europe

Publication
Article
OncologyONCOLOGY Vol 11 No 12
Volume 11
Issue 12

Screening for breast cancer has been shown in several European randomized trials and case-control studies to reduce breast cancer mortality. These studies highlight the importance of quality assurance in the whole screening process. The Europe

Screening for breast cancer has been shown in several European randomized trials and case-control studies to reduce breast cancer mortality. These studies highlight the importance of quality assurance in the whole screening process. The Europe Against Cancer Program (EAC) is funding the European pilot breast cancer screening network, in which quality improvement based on the European quality assurance guidelines is the central target.

“Major advances are taking place in the field of breast cancer, particularly in the understanding of which women are at high risk,” says Professor Bruce Ponder of the Department of Clinical Oncology, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom. “But, as yet, there are no prognostic markers to tell us that screening-detected or genetic breast cancer should be treated differently from clinically detected breast cancer.”

“Testing in the population at large, or of women with only one or two affected relatives is, in general, premature. We also know that some uncommon genes predispose some people to cancer. These provide the basis for DNA based tests for cancer susceptibility, but the ethical issues that surround these tests are exceedingly complex,” he added.

“We know already that more than 10% of cases of breast cancer are attributable to mutations in susceptible genes, such as BRCA1 and 2. The challenge now for medical oncologists is to integrate traditional systemic breast cancer therapies, such as hormone and chemotherapy, with genetic approaches.”

For the present, however, Dr. Marie Overgaard, from the Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark, has shown how existing therapies can be used to the best effect. Her study demonstrates that survival in high-risk patients with breast cancer is significantly improved by an optimal combination of surgery and irradiation plus adjuvant systemic therapy, when compared with adjuvant therapy alone (see below).

Recent Videos
Whole or accelerated partial breast ultra-hypofractionated radiation in older patients with early breast cancer may reduce recurrence with low toxicity.
Ultra-hypofractionated radiation in those 65 years or older with early breast cancer yielded no ipsilateral recurrence after a 10-month follow-up.
The unclear role of hypofractionated radiation in older patients with early breast cancer in prior trials incentivized research for this group.
Patients with HR-positive, HER2-positive breast cancer and high-risk features may derive benefit from ovarian function suppression plus endocrine therapy.
Paolo Tarantino, MD discusses updated breast cancer trial findings presented at ESMO 2024 supporting the use of agents such as T-DXd and ribociclib.
Paolo Tarantino, MD, discusses the potential utility of agents such as datopotamab deruxtecan and enfortumab vedotin in patients with breast cancer.
Paolo Tarantino, MD, highlights strategies related to screening and multidisciplinary collaboration for managing ILD in patients who receive T-DXd.
Related Content