BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study is to describe the development in the use of breast-conserving surgery and sentinel node procedures in Norway from 1993 to 2001, with special emphasis on geographical variations and possible relationships with the mammography screening programme. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Cancer Registry of Norway registers diagnosis and treatment of all cases of cancer in Norway. All women diagnosed with breast cancer in the period 1993-2001 who received surgical treatment were included in the study except those with distant metastases at diagnosis. RESULTS: During the period, there were 18,564 surgically treated female breast cancer patients without evidence of distant metastases. Breast-conserving surgery was applied in 4203 (22%) out of 19,408 cases. The proportion increased from 14% in 1993 to 36% in 2001. In most counties with mammography screening, the proportion of breast-conserving surgery in women aged 50-69 rose to 40% or more in 2001. Utilisation of sentinel node biopsy in breast-conserving surgery increased from 2% in 1998 to 55% in 2001. INTERPRETATION: Over the 1993-2001 period, there was a strong increase in the extent of utilisation of breast-conserving surgery and sentinel node biopsy in breast cancer in Norway.
BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study is to describe the development in the use of breast-conserving surgery and sentinel node procedures in Norway from 1993 to 2001, with special emphasis on geographical variations and possible relationships with the mammography screening programme. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Cancer Registry of Norway registers diagnosis and treatment of all cases of cancer in Norway. All women diagnosed with breast cancer in the period 1993-2001 who received surgical treatment were included in the study except those with distant metastases at diagnosis. RESULTS: During the period, there were 18,564 surgically treated female breast cancerpatients without evidence of distant metastases. Breast-conserving surgery was applied in 4203 (22%) out of 19,408 cases. The proportion increased from 14% in 1993 to 36% in 2001. In most counties with mammography screening, the proportion of breast-conserving surgery in women aged 50-69 rose to 40% or more in 2001. Utilisation of sentinel node biopsy in breast-conserving surgery increased from 2% in 1998 to 55% in 2001. INTERPRETATION: Over the 1993-2001 period, there was a strong increase in the extent of utilisation of breast-conserving surgery and sentinel node biopsy in breast cancer in Norway.