[Intraoperative electron radiotherapy (IOERT) in the QUART sequence: a phase I study].

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiation Oncology
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Breast cancer management often involves adjuvant radiation therapy.
• A traditional boost radiation dose is commonly used in conservative breast cancer treatment.
• Intraoperative radiation therapy (IOERT) offers a potential alternative for delivering a radiation boost.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the tolerance and safety of a single dose of intraoperative radiation therapy (IOERT) delivered via electron beam.
• To assess the feasibility of using IOERT as a boost in breast cancer patients undergoing conservative treatment.
• To determine the impact of varying IOERT doses (800-1500 cGy) on treatment outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A total of 27 early-stage breast cancer patients (cT1-2, cN0) were enrolled.
• Patients received a single dose of IOERT (800-1500 cGy) to the tumor bed.
• External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) followed after a median of 8 weeks, with some patients receiving it post-chemotherapy.

Main Results:

• The treatment was well-tolerated across all tested IOERT doses.
• Good cosmetic outcomes were observed in 26 out of 27 patients.
• No local relapses were reported during the follow-up period, although some patients experienced wound healing complications or mastitis.

Conclusions:

• Single-dose IOERT is a safe and effective boost option for breast cancer patients in conservative treatment.
• IOERT demonstrates good tolerance and excellent local control without compromising cosmetic results.
• Further research may explore optimizing IOERT protocols and patient selection for enhanced outcomes.