An evaluation of post-lumpectomy recurrence rates: is follow-up every 6 months for 2 years needed?

Abstract

Background and objectives: There is currently debate about the optimal timing and frequency of mammography follow-up after breast-conserving therapy (BCT). The purpose of this study was to determine if 6-month intervals for the first 2 years following BCT offer benefit over annual screening.

Methods: Three hundred ninety-nine patients who had lumpectomies between 1997 and 2009 and who were followed for at least 2 years with mammography were selected. The mammography yields for the first 2 years following BCT were compared to those of the general screening population. Also, patients were grouped as either compliant or noncompliant with the recommended 6-month intervals; Fischer's exact test was used to determine if there was a relationship between the grouping (compliant or noncompliant) and tumor recurrence.

Results: Mammography yield was 0.94 and 2.87 per 1,000 for the first and second years, respectively, following surgery. Three hundred twenty-eight patients were categorized as compliant and 1 local recurrence was discovered in this group; 67 patients were labeled as noncompliant and 0 local recurrences were found in this group.

Conclusions: Mammography yield of cancer in the study population was not greater than the general population. There was no difference between the compliant and noncompliant groups regarding tumor recurrence.