Menstrual timing of breast Ca surgery doesn't affect prognosis.(Gynecology)

SAN ANTONIO -- The timing of breast cancer surgery with respect to menstrual cycle phase failed to affect prognosis in two large multicenter prospective observational studies presented at the annual breast cancer symposium sponsored by the Cancer Therapy and Research Center.

This has been a longstanding controversy. Since 1989, roughly two dozen surgical studies have examined the issue. Close to half have reported a survival advantage for breast cancer patients who undergo their surgery during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. The remaining studies concluded timing of surgery had no impact upon disease-free or overall survival.

But most prior studies involved a few hundred patients or less, many were single-center retrospective series, and nearly all relied upon patient recall of the last menstrual period, which has the potential for inaccuracy.

To shed light on the issue, investigators from the North Central Cancer Treatment Group conducted a study in which 842 patients undergoing breast cancer surgery at 103 sites were categorized as to menstrual cycle phase both by biochemical determination at time of surgery and by recall of last menstrual period, explained Clive S. Grant, M.D., professor of surgery at the Mayo ...