A 45-year-old woman has recently undergone lumpectomy and radiation therapy for a stage II breast cancer. She received chemotherapy for 6 months. Her periods ceased while she was receiving chemotherapy, and she remains amenorrheic. Her tumor was rich in estrogen receptor, and she is taking tamoxifen. Her hair is growing back, her energy is returning, and she has no specific complaints, but she is worried about recurrence. In addition to routine follow-up, what is the most appropriate management of this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Given the patient's current status post-treatment for stage II breast cancer, with no specific complaints and ongoing tamoxifen therapy, routine follow-up without additional specific cancer surveillance measures is the most appropriate management. Advanced imaging and tumor marker evaluations are not routinely recommended in asymptomatic patients following initial treatment for breast cancer, as they have not been shown to improve survival and can lead to unnecessary interventions and anxiety.

A 45-Year-Old Woman Has Recently Undergone Lumpectomy and Radiation Therapy