Mortality after late breast cancer recurrence in Denmark

Breast cancer (BC) recurrence has been observed more than two decades after the primary diagnosis. Little is known about the prognosis after such recurrence. A population-based study in Denmark investigated the impact of late recurrence (10 years or longer after the primary diagnosis) on mortality. In patients with late recurrence the 10-year cumulative BC mortality was 50%, while in patients with earlier recurrence the 10-year cumulative BC mortality was 72%. The hazard ratio of BC-specific death for late compared with early recurrence was 0,72 (95% CI 0.62-0.85). Advanced stage at primary diagnosis, distant metastases, adjuvant treatment for locoregional recurrence, and systemic treatment for distant recurrence were associated with increased mortality after late recurrence. Breast-conserving surgery at primary diagnosis, locoregional recurrence, and surgery for recurrence were associated with lower mortality after late recurrence.