Kimberly Van Zee, MD, an attending surgeon in the Department of Breast Cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and professor of Surgery at the Weill Cornell Medical College, discusses the importance of preventing invasive recurrence in patients with breast cancer at the 21st Annual Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Symposium.

Because there are such wide variations in the recurrence rate and quality of life among the different treatment options for these patients, physicians can find the decision making process very difficult, says Van Zee. The goal of any treatment, however, is to prevent recurrence because half of all recurrences will be invasive.

Overall survival data in all studies have been excellent, so treatment decisions will be made based on local recurrences rather than survival, Van Zee adds. Since local recurrence is associated with a lower risk of invasive recurrence and a lower risk of needing chemotherapy, as well as having a survival impact.

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Kimberly Van Zee, MD, discusses the importance of preventing invasive recurrence in patients with breast cancer at the 21st Annual Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Symposium.

Dr. Van Zee on Prevention of Invasive Recurrence in Breast Cancer

Kimberly Van Zee, MD, surgical oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the various surgical options for patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).

Individualizing treatment for patients with breast cancer has become more important in recent years, says Van Zee. DCIS is somewhat paradoxical in its nature, as there is essentially no risk of metastatic disease or death. However, it also has a higher local recurrence rate in the breast than does invasive cancer.

When it comes to surgical treatment, the options are quite broad, explains Van Zee. They can range from wide excision alone, wide excision with radiation, or with endocrine therapy, to mastectomy or bilateral mastectomy. Overall, it is important to assess a patient's individual values to determine what treatment option is best for her.

Kimberly Van Zee, MD, surgical oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the various surgical options for patients with ductal carcinoma in situ.

Kimberly Van Zee, MD

Articles

Dr. Van Zee on Prevention of Invasive Recurrence in Breast Cancer

Dr. Van Zee on Estimating Risk For Surgical Options in DCIS