Optimizing Adjuvant Treatment Recommendations for Older Women with Biologically Favorable Breast Cancer: Short-Course Radiation or Long-Course Endocrine Therapy?

Omission of radiotherapy among older women taking 5 years of adjuvant endocrine therapy following breast conserving surgery for early-stage, hormone sensitive breast cancers is well-studied. However, endocrine therapy toxicities are significant, and many women have difficulty tolerating endocrine therapy, particularly elderly patients with comorbidities. Omission of endocrine therapy among women receiving adjuvant radiation is less well-studied, but available randomized and non-randomized data suggest that this approach may confer equivalent local control and survival for select patients. Herein we review available randomized and non-randomized outcome data for women treated with radiation monotherapy and emphasize the need for future prospective, randomized studies of endocrine therapy omission.

Duke Scholars

Author Susan Grams Robison McDuff Radiation Oncology

Author Rachel Catherine Blitzblau Radiation Oncology