Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer Treated with Hypo-Fractionated Liver Radiotherapy

Cancers (Basel). 2023 May 19;15(10):2839. doi: 10.3390/cancers15102839.

Abstract

Purpose: To retrospectively review the clinical outcomes of patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBCa) following liver directed ablative intent radiotherapy (RT).

Methods: Demographics, disease and treatment characteristics of patients with MBCa who received liver metastasis (LM) directed ablative RT between 2004-2020 were analysed. The primary outcome was local control (LC), secondary outcomes included overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) analyzed by univariate (UVA) and multi-variable analysis (MVA).

Results: Thirty MBCa patients with 50 LM treated with 5-10 fraction RT were identified. Median follow-up was 14.6 (range 0.9-156.2) months. Class of metastatic disease was described as induced (12 patients, 40%), repeat (15 patients, 50%) and de novo (three patients, 10%). Median size of treated LM was 3.1 cm (range 1-8.8 cm) and median biologically effective dose delivered was 122 (Q1-Q3; 98-174) Gy3. One-year LC rate was 100%. One year and two-year survival was 89% and 63%, respectively, with size of treated LM predictive of OS (HR 1.35, p = 0.023) on UVA. Patients with induced OMD had a significantly higher rate of progression (HR 4.77, p = 0.01) on UVA, trending to significance on MVA (HR 3.23, p = 0.051).

Conclusions: Hypo-fractionated ablative liver RT in patients with MBCa provides safe, tolerable treatment with excellent LC.

Keywords: SABR; SBRT; ablative radiotherapy; breast cancer; liver metastasis; metastases.

Grants and funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.