Trends in local, regional and contralateral breast tumor recurrence within five years after diagnosis in the Netherlands: a population-based study including 121347 patients

TL;DR

This study tracks how often breast cancer returns in the same area, nearby lymph nodes, or the other breast in the Netherlands from 2003 to 2016.

Contribution

It provides population-based trends in recurrence rates and shows a decline over time, suggesting improved treatment effectiveness.

Findings

Five-year local recurrence rates dropped from 3.3% in 2003 to 1.5% in 2016.

Contralateral breast cancer rates decreased from 2.2% in 2003 to 1.5% in 2016.

Regional recurrence rates slightly increased for certain cancer stages and subtypes.

Abstract

The objective was to provide an overview of trends in five-year local recurrence (LR), regional recurrence (RR) and contralateral breast cancer (CBC) rates in the Netherlands from 2003 to 2008 and 2012–2016.

Women ≥18 years diagnosed with primary early breast cancer between 2003-2008 and 2012–2016 in the Netherlands were included. LR was defined as invasive tumor on the same side as the primary breast cancer. RR was defined as regional lymph node metastasis. CBC was defined as second primary invasive breast tumor in the contralateral breast. Five-year LR, RR and CBC rates were calculated and stratified for age, stage, subtype, and grade.

Of the 121347 included patients, 5618 were diagnosed with a LR, RR or CBC. Five-year LR, RR and CBC rates decreased from 3.3 %, 1.9 % and 2.2 % in 2003 to 1.5 %, 1.6 % and 1.5 % in 2016, respectively, with fluctuations over the years. Slight increases were observed in RR rates for stage II-III, HR-/HER2+ and HR-/HER2-.

(s). The observed overall decline in LR, RR and CBC rates could reflect more effective and personalized breast cancer treatment. Our results provide realistic insights in LR, RR and CBC rates and might contribute to further optimization of treatment and surveillance strategies.

•5-year local recurrence rate decreased from 3.3 % in 2003 to 1.5 % in 2016.•5-year regional recurrence rate decreased from 1.9 % in 2003 to 1.6 % in 2016.•5-year contralateral breast cancer rate decreased from 2.2 % in 2003 to 1.5 % in 2016.•5618 patients had a LR, RR or CBC within 5 years after primary diagnosis.

5-year local recurrence rate decreased from 3.3 % in 2003 to 1.5 % in 2016.

5-year regional recurrence rate decreased from 1.9 % in 2003 to 1.6 % in 2016.

5-year contralateral breast cancer rate decreased from 2.2 % in 2003 to 1.5 % in 2016.

5618 patients had a LR, RR or CBC within 5 years after primary diagnosis.

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