Breast Cancer Care: Test IDs Those Who May Not Need Chemo


Posted May 26, 2017 by RadiationClinic

The new test, called MammaPrint, is a 70-gene signature screen that helps doctors identifies patients who are at high clinical risk, but low genomic risk.

 
The founder and lead surgeon of the Las Colinas Cancer Center talks about a recent development in tailoring care.

Irving, TX, – Facing down a positive diagnosis of breast cancer often means having to cope with rigorous treatments that may take a serious toll on the body. While chemotherapy is often cornerstone in the treatment of this disease, not all women technically require this measure once surgery and other interventions have been performed. A new screening tool under development may help doctors more accurately pinpoint women who may safely skip chemo without witnessing dramatic increases in risk.

The new test, called MammaPrint, is a 70-gene signature screen that helps doctors identifies patients who are at high clinical risk, but low genomic risk. Women who fall into this category may not experience significant benefits from undergoing chemotherapy, researchers say.

“The test is designed to help doctors more readily target care on a patient-by-patient basis,” says Dr. Gregory Echt, founder and lead surgeon at the Las Colinas Cancer Center. “If trial results remain positive, this tool may someday help doctors and their patients more readily determine if chemotherapy is a necessary measure.”

During a recent study into the potential benefits of MammaPrint, researchers found that 49 percent of the women screened might be eligible for skipping chemotherapy without dramatically impacting outcome. The study in question involved a group of patients who were all deemed at high clinical, but low genomic risk based on the screen. Some of the women were given adjuvant chemotherapy, but others were not. Researchers ultimately found that women who underwent chemotherapy had only a slightly higher five-year survival rate without distant metastasis. They also had a slightly higher five-year disease free survival rate. The separation in numbers, however, was very small, researchers noted.

While more study is required, the test could prove quite valuable for helping some women avoid the side effects associated with chemotherapy. “As the treatment of cancer takes a more patient-specific, tailored focus, this tool may help advance the cause greatly for women diagnosed with breast cancer,” Dr. Echit says.

About Las Colinas Cancer Center
Las Colinas Cancer Center, a Choice Cancer Care Treatment Center, is committed to providing the personalized, compassionate treatment that can make all the difference in cancer care. Our state-of-the-art facility, located in North Texas, offers those battling cancer and blood disorders a safe haven where they can find professional care from some of the nation’s most experienced oncology specialists in a supportive, caring environment with an integrated approach to treatment.
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Issued By CancerCenter
Website Las Colinas Cancer Center, Texas
Phone 214.379.2700
Business Address 7415 Las Colinas Blvd
Irving, TX 75063
Country United States
Categories Business , Fitness , Health
Tags cancer treatment , cancer treatment center , radiation clinic
Last Updated May 26, 2017