Melvin Deutsch MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Stephanie Land PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Mirsada Begovic MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To determine whether or not there is an association between radiotherapy for primary breast cancer and the subsequent development of mesothelioma.

Followup information on 22,410 patients entered into 11 NSABP studies was reviewed to identify cases of mesothelioma arising after diagnosis of breast cancer. Post-operative radiotherapy was administered to 9,342 patients, usually after lumpectomy. There were 13,068 patients who did not have radiotherapy and most had mastectomy. A Binomial test was performed to determine whether the number of mesotheliomas occurring in the ipsilateral thorax of patients receiving post-operative radiotherapy was statistically significant given the proportion of patients who received post-operative radiotherapy in NSABP studies B-04, B-06, B-14, B-15, B-16, B-17, B-19, B-20, B-22, B-23, and B-24.

Three mesotheliomas were identified and all occurred in the ipsilateral thorax of irradiated patients (P=0.009). Two had received post-lumpectomy breast irradiation for invasive carcinoma and one for ductal carcinoma in situ.

The results of this review indicate that there is a small but statistically significant increased incidence of mesothelioma occurring after radiotherapy for primary breast cancer.

To determine whether or not there is an association between radiotherapy for primary breast cancer and the subsequent development of mesothelioma.

Followup information on 22,410 patients entered into 11 NSABP studies was reviewed to identify cases of mesothelioma arising after diagnosis of breast cancer. Post-operative radiotherapy was administered to 9,342 patients, usually after lumpectomy. There were 13,068 patients who did not have radiotherapy and most had mastectomy. A Binomial test was performed to determine whether the number of mesotheliomas occurring in the ipsilateral thorax of patients receiving post-operative radiotherapy was statistically significant given the proportion of patients who received post-operative radiotherapy in NSABP studies B-04, B-06, B-14, B-15, B-16, B-17, B-19, B-20, B-22, B-23, and B-24.

Three mesotheliomas were identified and all occurred in the ipsilateral thorax of irradiated patients (P=0.009). Two had received post-lumpectomy breast irradiation for invasive carcinoma and one for ductal carcinoma in situ.

The results of this review indicate that there is a small but statistically significant increased incidence of mesothelioma occurring after radiotherapy for primary breast cancer.

Deutsch, M, Land, S, Begovic, M, An Association between Postoperative Radiotherapy for Primary Breast Cancer in 11 National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) Studies and the Subsequent Appearance of Mesothelioma.  Radiological Society of North America 2005 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 27 - December 2, 2005 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2005/4418051.html