Compelling Evidence for Skipping Radiation Therapy in Early Breast Cancer

Core Concepts

High-quality preoperative MRI combined with postoperative analysis can identify early breast cancer patients who can safely skip radiation therapy.

Abstract

PROSPECT Trial Results:

• Preoperative MRI combined with postoperative analysis can identify patients who can safely skip radiation therapy.
• Skipping radiation therapy led to a low local recurrence rate of 1% at 5 years.
• Patients who omitted radiation had better quality of life and reduced fear of cancer recurrence.
• Positive perceptions about tailored care and trust influenced patients' fear of recurrence.
• PROSPECT trial results published in The Lancet.

Study Design:

• PROSPECT was a nonrandomized study evaluating the omission of radiation therapy.
• Preoperative MRI detected malignant occult lesions in 11% of patients.
• Patients with unifocal cancer underwent breast-conserving surgery without radiation therapy.
• Ipsilateral invasive recurrence rate at 5 years was 1.0% in the group that omitted radiation.

Impact of Omitting Radiation:

• Omitting radiation therapy led to better quality of life, functional outcomes, and cosmetic results.
• Patients viewed not having radiation as acceptable and appropriate treatment.
• Role of preoperative MRI in identifying patients for deintensified treatment.

Risk Tolerance and Preferences:

• Omission of radiation did not affect health-related quality of life or fear of recurrence.
• Patients who did not receive radiation had low decision regret.
• Patients can delineate their individual risk tolerance and preferences regarding radiation therapy.
• Use of preoperative MRI remains controversial due to the number of biopsies and mastectomies prompted.

Funding and Disclosures:

• Trial funded by various organizations.
• Researchers have no relevant disclosures.

Stats

Omitting radiation therapy after breast-conserving surgery led to a very low local recurrence rate (1%) at 5 years.
Preoperative MRI detected 61 malignant occult lesions separate from the index cancer in 48 patients (11%) of the total cohort.
The ipsilateral invasive recurrence rate in the group that omitted radiation was 1.0% at 5 years.

Quotes

"The hypothesis was that less treatment [would] lead to more fear of cancer recurrence" - Gregory Bruce Mann
"If the patient got the impression that the doctor wasn't worried about recurrence, then the patient wasn't worried." - Gregory Bruce Mann
"PROSPECT adds laudably to the tradition of personalized medicine." - Lior Z. Braunstein

Key Insights Distilled From

Compelling Case for Skipping RT in Some Early Breast Cancers

by Megan Brooks at www.medscape.com 12-07-2023

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/compelling-case-skipping-rt-some-early-breast-cancers-2023a1000uje

Deeper Inquiries

How can the findings of the PROSPECT trial impact current radiation therapy practices

The findings of the PROSPECT trial can significantly impact current radiation therapy practices by providing evidence that high-quality preoperative MRI, in combination with postoperative analysis of pathologic features, can identify a subset of women with early breast cancer who may safely skip radiation therapy. This suggests a potential shift towards a more personalized approach to treatment, where radiation therapy may be omitted in select patients without compromising local recurrence rates. This could lead to a reduction in unnecessary radiation exposure for certain patients, improving their quality of life and overall treatment experience.

What are the potential drawbacks of omitting radiation therapy in early breast cancer patients

While the PROSPECT trial shows promising results for omitting radiation therapy in some early breast cancer patients, there are potential drawbacks to consider. Omitting radiation therapy may increase the risk of local recurrence in certain individuals, leading to the need for additional treatments or interventions. Furthermore, the use of preoperative MRI, although beneficial in identifying patients who may safely skip radiation, can also result in additional procedures such as biopsies and mastectomies. This highlights the importance of carefully weighing the benefits and risks of omitting radiation therapy on a case-by-case basis to ensure optimal patient outcomes.

How can personalized medicine be further integrated into breast cancer management based on the study's results

The results of the PROSPECT trial pave the way for further integration of personalized medicine into breast cancer management by emphasizing the importance of individual risk tolerance and personal preferences in treatment decisions. Moving forward, healthcare providers can use high-quality preoperative MRI and postoperative pathology analysis to tailor treatment plans based on each patient's specific characteristics and disease profile. This personalized approach allows patients to actively participate in decision-making regarding their treatment, considering factors such as health-related quality of life, fear of recurrence, and treatment preferences. By empowering patients to make informed choices aligned with their values and goals, personalized medicine can enhance the overall care and outcomes for individuals with early breast cancer.