Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN)
Friday, 22 February, 2013

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.