Researchers from a major medical institution reported new insights about treating patients with multiple distinct cancer foci within a single breast. The findings were shared at a conference hosted by a prominent cancer research society, highlighting how breast-conserving approaches may be an option for select women with two or three cancer sites in one breast.
The study focused on women over 40 who carried two or more separate cancer lesions in the same breast. In the cohort, a portion of cases underwent total breast removal, while the rest received partial removal aimed at preserving more tissue. The data suggest that a meaningful number of patients could avoid full mastectomy without compromising disease control in carefully chosen circumstances.
Over the follow-up period extending beyond five years, a small subset of patients who had partial removal experienced a cancer relapse. Specifically, six of the 204 participants showed a recurrence within about five and a half years after partial breast surgery. The overall five-year recurrence rate stood at roughly 3.1%, a figure that aligns with recurrence rates observed in patients with a single focus of breast cancer when treated with modern surgical techniques. Deeper analysis indicated that the chance of recurrence was somewhat higher in those who did not receive magnetic resonance imaging before surgery. The authors suggested that preoperative MRI might help surgeons identify additional cancer foci and guide more comprehensive removal when appropriate.
Traditionally, cases with multiple cancer areas in one breast have often led clinicians to recommend mastectomy, a full removal of breast tissue. The current results provide evidence that, for some women, breast-conserving surgery can be a viable alternative that offers a shorter recovery and less physical impact while still maintaining effective disease control. These findings support personalized decision-making in which surgeons and patients discuss the potential benefits and risks of conserving breast tissue versus removing the entire breast, taking into account tumor distribution, patient anatomy, and overall health. When aligned with detailed imaging and careful surgical planning, breast-conserving strategies may empower patients to choose a treatment path that preserves more of the breast without compromising outcomes. Further studies and long-term follow-up are expected to refine selection criteria and optimize protocols for combining imaging, surgical planning, and adjuvant therapies in multipletumor cases. [Source attribution: Mayo Clinic study presented at the American Association for Cancer Research conference.]