Factors influencing local control in patients undergoing breast conservation surgery for ductal carcinoma in situ

Background: The aim of our study was to assess various predictors for local recurrence (LR) in patients undergoing breast conservation surgery (BCS) for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).Materials and methods: An audit was performed of 582 consecutive patients with DCIS between Jan 1975 to June 2008. In patients undergoing BCS, local guidelines reported a margin of ≥10 mm during the above period. Guideline with regard to margin of excision changes soon after this period. We retrospectively analysed clinical and pathological risk factors for local recurrence in patients undergoing BCS. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 19, and a cox regression model for multivariate analysis of local recurrence was used.Results: Overall 239 women had BCS for DCIS during the above period. The actuarial 5-year recurrence rate was 9.6%. The overall LR rate was 17% (40/239. LR was more common in patients less or equal 50 years: (10/31 patients, 32%) compared to patients > 50 years (30/208, 14%, P = 0.02). Forty three per cent of patients (6/14) with less than 5 mm margin developed LR which was significantly higher compared to patients with 5–9 mm margin (12%, 3/25) and with ≥10 mm margin (14%, 27/188, P = 0.01). On multivariate analysis age less or equal 50 years, less than 5 mm pathological margin were independent prognostic factors for local recurrence.Conclusion: Our study shows that younger age (less or equal 50 years) and a margin less than 5 mm are poor prognostic factors for LR in patients undergoing breast conservation surgery for DCIS