Milan, December 23, 2024 – Radiotherapy has proven to be an effective and less invasive solution for women over 70 affected by breast cancer. This significant finding comes from a study led by Italian researchers, presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) and published in the prestigious journal The Lancet Oncology.
The study, named EUROPA, was coordinated by the Breast Unit led by Prof. Icro Meattini and the Radiation Oncology Department headed by Prof. Lorenzo Livi at the Careggi University Hospital in Florence. It involved 926 patients across 21 centers, 19 of which were in Italy, to compare the effectiveness of radiotherapy against hormonal therapy after conservative surgery.
Key findings of the EUROPA study
Preliminary analysis revealed that radiotherapy, while equally effective in local tumor control, has a significantly lower impact on quality of life compared to hormonal therapy. This is particularly critical for older and potentially fragile women, for whom hormonal therapy may be overly invasive.
“Radiotherapy is not only effective but also preserves the daily well-being of patients,” stated Marco Krengli, President of AIRO. “This study is a milestone for radiation research, demonstrating the value of targeted treatments that combine disease control and high-quality life outcomes.”
A new therapeutic vision
Prof. Meattini emphasized the groundbreaking nature of these results: “In recent years, efforts have focused on optimizing treatments, but studies have only considered eliminating radiotherapy. This is the first study to directly compare radiotherapy and hormonal therapy, assessing not just effectiveness but also the impact on patients’ quality of life. We can now choose the least invasive treatment without compromising efficacy.”
Future outlook
These findings pave the way for a future of increasingly personalized oncological therapies, ensuring effective treatments that respect patients’ needs. For the more than 50,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer annually in Italy, especially those over 70, radiotherapy offers a promising solution, significantly enhancing the treatment experience.
