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Radiation Oncology
Published in: Radiation Oncology 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research

Hypofractionated irradiation in elderly patients with breast cancer after breast conserving surgery and mastectomy : Analysis of 205 cases

Authors: Mélanie Doré, Bruno Cutuli, Patrice Cellier, Loïc Campion, Magali Le Blanc

Published in: Radiation Oncology | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Several randomized trials and meta-analyses confirmed a wide benefit of radiotherapy (RT), both after breast conserving surgery (BCS) and mastectomy. However, many elderly women don't receive RT. Hypofractionated (HF) RT allows « simplified » and more accessible treatments with equivalent results to classic RT in three large randomized trials. However, there are few available data on HF-RT for nodal irradiation, as well as for the boost.

Methods

We evaluated patients treated for IBC by HF-RT between 2004 and 2012 in two regional cancer centres. We used an original scheme delivering 45 Gy in 15 fractions three times a week, both after BCS or mastectomy, with or without nodal irradiation. After BCS, a 9 Gy boost in 3 fractions was delivered. Local, regional and distant recurrences were assessed, as well as acute and late cutaneous, cardiac or pulmonary toxicities.

Results

205 patients were analysed, 116 after BCS (57 %) and 89 after mastectomy (43 %). Median age was 81 years (range: 52-91); 44 % had axillary nodal involvement (pN+). The Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI) scored 0, 1, 2 and 3 in 10 %, 27 %, 44 % and 19 % of the cases. A nodal HF-RT was delivered in 65 patients (32 %) and boost in 98 patients (84 % of BCS) by 9 Gy/3 fr scheme. Fifty (24 %) patients underwent chemotherapy and 156 (75 %) hormonal treatment.
With a 49-month median follow-up, 3/116 (2.6 %) patients and 4/89 (4.5 %) had local recurrence (LR) after BCS and mastectomy, respectively. The overall 5-year LR rate was 4.4 %. In univariate and multivariate analysis, LR risk factors were: high NPI (HR 5.46; p = 0.028), and triple negative tumour (HR 9.78; p = 0.006). Only 8 (4.5 %) patients had grade III skin toxicity; 29 (14 %) late fibrosis and 16 (8 %) telangiectasia. No pulmonary or cardiac toxicity was observed.

Conclusion

Our HF-RT scheme (with or without nodal irradiation) confirms in elderly patients the data from randomized trials, both after BCS or mastectomy. Toxicity seems very acceptable but requires a longer follow-up. A larger evaluation is still ongoing in several other centres in France.
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Metadata
Title
Hypofractionated irradiation in elderly patients with breast cancer after breast conserving surgery and mastectomy : Analysis of 205 cases
Authors
Mélanie Doré
Bruno Cutuli
Patrice Cellier
Loïc Campion
Magali Le Blanc
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Radiation Oncology / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1748-717X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13014-015-0448-y

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