Active not recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Impact of the Intraoperative Use of Amines in Breast Cancer Surgery on Tumor Recurrence

This study is an important look into whether medicines commonly used during breast cancer surgery, specifically a mastectomy, might have an impact on whether the cancer returns. During surgery, doctors often give medicines to keep your body stable. Some of these medicines are called 'adrenergic agents.' Previous research has shown that breast cancer cells can react to these types of medicines in lab settings, and there's a suggestion that other medicines, called beta-blockers, might protect against cancer coming back. We're reviewing health information from about 250 patients who had a mastectomy over five years. The aim is to see if there's any connection between getting these adrenergic medicines during surgery and the cancer coming back later. This won't involve new tests or treatments for patients; it's about understanding past treatment data better.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Sponsor

University Hospital, Montpellier

Enrolment target

250

Start

01 Dec 2025

Estimated completion

01 Jun 2027

Cancer Recurrence Breast Cancer

What is this study about?

This study is looking into a very specific question about breast cancer surgery. When you have a mastectomy (surgery to remove a breast because of cancer), doctors give you various medicines to make sure you are safe and stable during the operation. Some of these medicines, known as 'adrenergic agents,' help keep your heart rate and blood pressure steady.

Interestingly, researchers have found that breast cancer cells themselves have special 'receptors' that can respond to these types of medicines. In lab tests, stimulating these receptors has sometimes made cancer cells grow or spread. On the other hand, some studies have hinted that medicines like beta-blockers, which do the opposite by blocking these receptors, might actually help prevent cancer from returning. Because of these findings, there's a question about whether the medicines used during surgery could potentially influence how breast cancer behaves in the long term.

This study is designed to explore this question further, but it's important to know it's an 'exploratory' study. This means we're looking at existing patient records to see if there's a pattern. We're not testing new drugs or giving different treatments. We'll be looking at the health information of about 250 patients who had a mastectomy for breast cancer over a five-year period. The main goal is to see if there's any link between receiving these specific medicines during surgery and whether their breast cancer came back later. Eventually, this information could help us better understand all the different factors that might affect breast cancer after treatment.

Key takeaways

This study reviews existing medical records.
It examines a link between common surgical medicines and breast cancer recurrence.
No direct patient participation is needed.
The goal is to better understand factors affecting cancer after surgery.
This research focuses on patients who had a mastectomy for breast cancer.

Who may be eligible?

This study looks at information from patients who have already had an operation for breast cancer. You won't be actively involved or need to do anything if this study uses your records.

The study is specifically interested in people who had a mastectomy (where the whole breast is removed) because of breast cancer. It doesn't matter how old you were or whether you are male or female; anyone who meets the main surgery criteria could have their de-identified information included.

Your information would not be included if your surgery was for something other than breast cancer, or if you had a different type of breast cancer surgery, such as a lumpectomy (part of the breast removed) instead of a full mastectomy.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Did you have surgery for breast cancer?
Was it a mastectomy (removal of the whole breast)?
Was your mastectomy specifically for breast cancer (not another condition)?
Did this surgery happen in the last five years (roughly)?
Are you comfortable with your anonymised health records being reviewed for research?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study will not involve you directly. Researchers will be looking at existing health records from patients who have already had a mastectomy for breast cancer. There will be no hospital visits, assessments, or any medication given as part of this study. You will not need to do anything or change your current care. The study is simply reviewing past medical information to look for connections between treatments given during surgery and long-term health outcomes.

Potential risks and benefits

Because this study only uses existing, anonymised patient records, there are no direct risks or physical benefits to you. Your personal information will be kept private and handled with care. The potential benefit of this study is that it might help doctors understand more about breast cancer and how surgical treatments could be improved in the future, ultimately benefiting other patients. If you are part of the group whose data is being reviewed, you also have the right to have your data withdrawn from the study at any point, although typically this would be handled through your medical records department given the retrospective nature.

Locations (1)

CHU Montpellier
Verified postcode
Montpellier, France

Common questions

What kind of study is this?

It's a 'retrospective' study, meaning researchers are looking back at existing health records, not examining new patients or treatments.

Will I have to take any new medicines or have extra tests?

No, absolutely not. This study only uses information from past treatments and health outcomes.

Is my personal information safe?

Yes, all patient information used in the study is handled securely and kept anonymous to protect your privacy.

How many patients are involved?

The study plans to look at the health records of about 250 patients who had a mastectomy over a five-year period.

What is a 'mastectomy'?

A mastectomy is an operation where the whole breast is removed to treat breast cancer.