title: Breast conservation therapy versus mastectomy in the community-based setting: can this rate be used as a benchmark for cancer care?
abstract: Despite strong evidence supporting the use of breast conservation therapy (BCT) in the treatment of breast carcinoma, the actual rates of use remain low. This article is a retrospective review of a sample of patients from the cancer registry of the Carolinas Medical Center (CMC), comparing breast conservation and mastectomy rates during an 11-year period. BCT rates have increased in CMC during this time frame and have reached national levels. Further research is needed to determine whether BCT rates can be used as a benchmark for the care of patients with cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28203, USA.
authors.forename: Marsha Criscio
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: H James
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Norton
authors.forename: Frederick L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Greene
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019985:Benchmarking; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D003151:Community Health Centers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies