Lab reveals lymph node treatment helps breast cancer patients

Post-surgery breast cancer patients respond well to specific lymph node radiotherapy, according to a new study.

Researchers from the Dr Bernard Verbeeten Instituut in the Netherlands found treatments to the nodes behind the breast bone and above the collar bone were "well tolerated".

The results mean individuals may have a better chance of survival through this form of remedy, although scientists admitted more work needs to be done to monitor the long-term effects.

Dr Philip Poortmans, one of the trial co-ordinators, said: "We are hopeful that we will see a survival benefit of at least five per cent in patients at the time of … primary analysis."

He added the mortality rate is already lower than expected, with 79 per cent alive ten years after an operation.

It follows recent work by lab specialists at Scott & White Healthcare, who are currently looking into an investigational agent linked to the prevention of breast cancer growth.