Policy responses and statements

Name of organisation:

Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN)

Name of policy document:

SIGN Guideline on Treatment of primary breast cancer

Deadline for response:

22 February 2013

Background: SIGN has circulated the draft Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) evidence-based guideline on Treatment of early breast cancer which has been developed by a national, multidisciplinary group.

SIGN asked if RCPE would be able to review, prior to publication, those sections of the draft guideline which relate to our area of expertise.

SIGN is interested primarily in RCPE's view on the comprehensiveness and accuracy of interpretation of the evidence base supporting the recommendations in the guideline. With this guideline SIGN is piloting a methodology for formulating recommendations based on the principles of Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE), so any comments on the style or presentation of the evidence and recommendations would also be welcome.

Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network
SIGN Guideline on Treatment of primary breast cancer

The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (“the College”) is pleased to respond to the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network on its consultation on the SIGN Guideline on Treatment of primary breast cancer. 

Para 4.3, p11:

For patients with invasive cancer, post-mastectomy radiation therapy was indicated for those with four or more involved axillary lymph nodes, but indications for its use in patients with one to three nodes were considered more restricted and particularly applicable for young patients and those with other poor prognostic features.

The College has no additional comments.

Copies of this response are available from:

Lesley Lockhart,
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh,
9 Queen Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1JQ.

Tel: 0131 225 7324 ext 608
Fax: 0131 220 3939

[22 February 2013]