Correlation between Margin Width and Time to Local and Systemic Recurrence of Ductal Carcinoma in Situ

Abstract

Abstract Background:Recurrence after DCIS treatment is common and half are invasive cancers. Positive excision margin is significantly associated with recurrence, however; debate exists about close margin. We examine the pattern of treatment and recurrences at a single institute. Objective: To investigate, in women with DCIS treated at KFMC and long follow-up, the relationship between margin width and time to local or systemic recurrence of disease, controlling the other characteristics. Method:We retrospectively reviewed a prospectively maintained database of DCIS patients treated at single institution from 2014-2018. A multivariable Cox model was used to evaluate the association of margin width with recurrence while controlling for other variables. Results:We identified 56 cases with a median follow-up of 51 months (range 3 - 120), of which four (7%) had a recurrence within 2 years of initial treatment. Three were invasive ductal cancer while one was high grade DCIS. After controlling the other variables, no association of margin width with recurrence was identified (p-value 0.81) in the current study, however; all recurrences were on the left side (p-value <0.001). Conclusion:The current study did not identify any correlation between margin width and LR, however; relation between site and LR was statistically significant as more LR was identified in left breast. Low rate of LR in current study could be due to more aged population of patients in present study.