Breast-conserving therapy treats early-stage breast cancer by removing tumors while preserving the breast.

A Quantitative Evaluation of the Effects of Radiation Therapy on the Postsurgical Breast
Go to source). "Anticipating these changes may help guide patient expectations and assist surgical planning to restore women after breast cancer treatment," comments Chris Reid, MD, of University of California San Diego.
‘#Breastconserving therapy (BCT) + #radiationtherapy (RT) can lead to ~20% breast volume loss within a year, with ongoing reductions up to 5 years. #breastcancer’






Breast-Conserving Therapy: Balancing Survival and Quality of Life
Breast-conserving therapy – consisting of limited surgery (lumpectomy) and RT – is the preferred treatment for many women with early-stage breast cancer. It offers survival rates similar to those of mastectomy, with more favorable physical, psychological, and quality of life outcomes.However, RT has adverse effects on breast tissue, including breast shrinkage due to radiation-induced tissue atrophy and fibrosis. While this long-term side effect is well-recognized, there are few data on the extent or time course of breast volume loss after BCT.
Dr. Reid and colleagues measured changes in breast volume in 113 patients who underwent BCT/RT for early-stage (T1) breast cancer between 2005 and 2023. Measurements were made using mammograms obtained before and after BCT and up to five years later. The researchers also examined the impact of initial breast size and other factors on volume loss.
Reflecting the size of the tumor, breast volume decreased by an average of 9.2% after lumpectomy. Breast volume continued to decrease over time, even after the immediate side effects of radiation resolved. After one year, the average decline in breast volume was 19.3%, in addition to the tissue removed at surgery.
"Additional volume change was observed yearly for five years," the researchers write. By that time, the average decrease in breast size was 26.6%. Consistent with previous studies of breast shrinkage following BCT, "progressive volume loss was seen in all patients."
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The study provides new evidence on breast shrinkage after BCT. Expected breast shrinkage is approximately 20% within the first year, progressing to about 26% by five years. Especially with the growing emphasis on patient satisfaction in evaluating the outcomes of breast cancer treatment, the findings highlight the need to discuss long-term changes in breast volume in patients receiving undergoing BCT/RT.
Reference:
- A Quantitative Evaluation of the Effects of Radiation Therapy on the Postsurgical Breast - (https://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/fulltext/2025/04000/a_quantitative_evaluation_of_the_effects_of.2.aspx)
Source-Eurekalert