Timing of surgery during the menstrual cycle and prognosis of breast cancer

There are conflicting reports on the differential effect of surgery perform ed during the two phases of the menstrual cycle, namely, follicular and lut eal, and prognosis of operable breast cancer. A statistical meta-analysis o f the published evidence suggests a modest survival benefit of 15 +/- 4% wh en the operation is performed during the lueteal phase. Further research in this area might provide a novel avenue to understand the natural history o f breast cancer. A spin off from these studies might be the understanding o f the importance of events that occur at the time of surgery in determining long term prognosis.