Toxicity and cosmesis following partial breast irradiation consisting of 40 Gy in 10 daily fractions

Breast. 2013 Oct;22(5):744-7. doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2012.12.012. Epub 2013 Jan 22.

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the toxicity and cosmetic results in breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant partial breast irradiation (PBI) to a total dose of 40 Gy in 10 daily fractions (4 Gy/fraction).

Methods and materials: Patients affected by early-stage breast cancer were enrolled in this phase II trial. Patients had to be 60 years old and treated with breast conservative surgery for early stage (pT1-T2 pN0-N1a) invasive ductal carcinoma.

Results: 77 patients were enrolled. Median follow-up was 18 months. The proposed schedule was well tolerated. One patient reported Grade 3 pain at the site of irradiation. Four (5%) patients experience Grade 2 erythema. Late Grade 2 and 1 fibrosis was observed in 3 (4%) and 14 (18%) patients, respectively. Cosmesis was judged "good/excellent" and "poor" in 75 (97%) and in 2 (3%) patients, respectively.

Conclusions: 40 Gy in 10 daily fractions, 4 Gy/fraction, is a well tolerated regimen to deliver PBI.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Cosmesis; Hypofractionation; Partial breast irradiation; Toxicity.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase II

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Breast / pathology*
  • Breast / radiation effects*
  • Breast / surgery
  • Breast Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / radiotherapy*
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / surgery
  • Dose Fractionation, Radiation*
  • Erythema / etiology
  • Female
  • Fibrosis / etiology
  • Humans
  • Mastectomy, Segmental
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain / etiology
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / adverse effects
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / methods