@article {5928,
	title = {An evidence based strategy for follow up after breast conserving treatment for breast cancer},
	journal = {Journal of Surgical Oncology},
	volume = {104},
	year = {2011},
	month = {2011///},
	pages = {223 - 227},
	abstract = {Background and Objectives Follow up for breast cancer patients aims at the timely detection of loco-regional recurrences and contralateral breast cancers (LRR). This study investigates the annual risk of LRR after breast conserving treatment (BCT) and the potential value of mammographic surveillance and/or routine clinical examination. Methods Data on 650 women who underwent BCT were obtained and LRR was divided into parenchymal and non-parenchymal. LRR-free and cumulative LRR-free rates were calculated. In patients where recurrence was diagnosed at a routine clinic visit and had negative mammography ("clinical detection only" group) were also separately examined. Results Median follow up was 115 months, range 9-196. Seventy-three patients had parenchymal and 16 nodal recurrence. The median probability of LRR was 1.4\% and of parenchymal LRR was 1.32\% per year, remaining constant for up to 168 months. The 16 patients in the "clinical detection only" group relapsed mainly during the first 2 years (annual risk 0.77\% and 0.80\%, respectively). Conclusions This study shows that the risk of parenchymal LRR remains constant for at least 14 years and is significant enough to warrant routine long-term follow up mammography. Routine clinical examination contributes significantly to the detection of LRR only for the first 2 years. {\textcopyright} 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.},
	keywords = {oncology, Recurrence, surgery},
	author = {M Kontos and Roy, P. and Rizos, D. and Hamed, H.}
}
