Radiation therapy following surgery for a rare type of breast cancer improves patient survival, according to a study by a team of surgical oncologists at UC Davis Cancer Center.
Adenoid cystic carcinoma, a tumor type that represents less than 1 percent of all breast carcinomas, generally is treated with surgery alone, either lumpectomy or mastectomy. Steven Chen, assistant professor of surgical oncology, wanted to find out if adding radiation therapy to surgery would improve outcomes for patients.
Chen’s research was sparked by a patient whom he cared for two years ago. “I had seen a patient with this type of cancer, and wasn’t sure what to do with her after surgery,” Chen said. “I wondered if she was supposed to get radiation therapy.” [Read more...]





