Purpose: We evaluated the relation between first site of recurrence of early breast cancer and disease profile at presentation and reported survival results, suggesting a personalized diagnostic imaging guidance during follow up.
Methods: Among 1400 early breast cancer treated from 2000 to 2010, 324 relapses were divided into 4 groups according to first site: A-locoregional, B-bone, C-Brain and D-visceral. We analyzed redictive factors of each group compared to a control group of 100 non relapsing patients and the remaining groups matched.
Results: In group A, patients were more likely to have histological tumor size above >2 cm, grade 1-2, HR positive and 0-3 involved lymph nodes. In group B, patients had more commonly grade 2-3, 1-3 positive lymph nodes and HR positive tumors. In group C, patients were more frequently young, with large tumor size, grade3, positive lymph nodes and HER2 positive tumors. In group D, patients were more likely to have tumors>2 cm in size, with nodal involvement, grade 3, HR negative and HER2 positive tumors. Annual recurrence rate in group A, was stable ranging between 15%-18%, within the first 3 years and peaked at 19.4% in the interval [1-2]year in group B. Median survival was 46 months in group A, 43 months in group B, with no significant difference.
Conclusion: Outcome of loco-regional and bone relapses was good, suggesting that both systematic mammography and bone-scan/CT scan for high risk patients (N+, gradeIII) during the first 2-3 years may represent a tailored relevant follow-up protocol for breast cancer patients.
Keywords: breast cancer; follow-up; imaging; recurrence.