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Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research

Toxicity and cosmetic outcome of hypofractionated whole-breast radiotherapy: predictive clinical and dosimetric factors

Authors: Patrizia Ciammella, Ala Podgornii, Maria Galeandro, Renato Micera, Dafne Ramundo, Tamara Palmieri, Elisabetta Cagni, Cinzia Iotti

Published in: Radiation Oncology | Issue 1/2014

Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this study is to evaluate toxicity and cosmetic outcome in breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant hypo fractionated radiotherapy to the whole breast, and to identify the risk factors for toxicity.

Methods and materials

Two hundred twelve women with early breast cancer underwent conserving surgery were enrolled in the study. The patients received 40.05 Gy in 15 daily fractions, 2.67 Gy per fraction. The boost to the tumor bed was administered with a total dose of 9 Gy in 3 consecutive fractions in 55 women. Physician-rated acute and late toxicity and cosmetic outcome (both subjective and objective) were prospectively assessed during and after radiotherapy.

Results

In our population study the mean age was 63 with the 17% (36 pts) of the women younger than 50 years.

The median follow-up was 34 months. By the end of RT, 35 patients out of 212 (16%) no acute toxicity, according to the RTOG criteria, while 145 (68%) and 31 patients (15%) developed grade 1 and grade 2 acute skin toxicity, respectively.

Late skin toxicity evaluation was available for all 212 patients with a minimum follow up of 8 months. The distribution of toxicity was: 39 pts (18%) with grade 1 and 2 pts (1%) with grade 2. No worse late skin toxicity was observed.

Late subcutaneous grade 0-1 toxicity was recorded in 208 patients (98%) and grade 2 toxicity in 3 patients (2%), while grade 3 was observed in 1 patient only. At last follow up, a subjective and objective good or excellent cosmetic outcome was reported in 93% and 92% of the women, respectively. At univariate and multivariate analysis, the late skin toxicity was correlated with the additional boost delivery (p=0.007 and p=0.023). Regarding the late subcutaneous tissue, a correlation with diabetes was found (p=0.0283).

Conclusion

These results confirm the feasibility and safety of the hypofractionated radiotherapy in patients with early breast cancer. In our population the boost administration was resulted to be a significant adverse prognostic factor for acute and late toxicity. Long-term follow up is need to confirm this finding.

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Title: Toxicity and cosmetic outcome of hypofractionated whole-breast radiotherapy: predictive clinical and dosimetric factors
Authors: Patrizia Ciammella
Ala Podgornii
Maria Galeandro
Renato Micera
Dafne Ramundo
Tamara Palmieri
Elisabetta Cagni
Cinzia Iotti
Publication date: 01-12-2014
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Radiation Oncology / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1748-717X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-717X-9-97

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Toxicity and cosmetic outcome of hypofractionated whole-breast radiotherapy: predictive clinical and dosimetric factors

Abstract

Purpose

Methods and materials

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods and materials

Results

Conclusion

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