Women who undergo lumpectomies appear to fare as well 18 years after surgery as those who have mastectomies, according to researchers at the National Cancer Institute.

Their findings were presented at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology's Annual Meeting in New Orleans.

Researchers have updated results of a randomized study of 247 patients with clinical stage I and II breast cancer who either had a modified radical mastectomy or lumpectomy, axillary dissection and radiation therapy. The women have been followed for an average of 18.4 years.

At 18.4 years, the overall survival was 58 percent for patients having a mastectomy and 54 percent for those having a lumpectomy plus radiation. There was no statistically significant difference in survival between the two groups. Disease-free survival at 18 years was 67 percent for women having a mastectomy and 63 percent for those having a lumpectomy plus radiation.

"These findings contribute to the growing body of research that suggests that lumpectomy can be just as effective as mastectomy in treating breast cancer," said Dr. Matthew M. Poggi, lead author of the study. "This is valuable information for women to have when they are considering the many treatment options that exist."

Other sources: American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology