Hypofractionation with concomitant boost using intensity-modulated radiation therapy in early-stage breast cancer in...

To evaluate whether hypofractionation with integrated boost to the tumour bed using intensity-modulated radiation therapy is an acceptable option and to determine whether this treatment compromises local control, toxicity and cosmesis.

Retrospective studies have demonstrated that patients who are treated with HF and integrated boost experience adequate local control, a dosimetric benefit, decreased toxicity and acceptable cosmesis compared with conventional fractionation.

A retrospective, observational and longitudinal study was conducted from January 2008 to June 2015 and included 34 patients with breast cancer (stage 0-II) who were undergoing conservative surgery.The prescribed doses were 45 Gy in 20 fractions (2.25 Gy/fraction) to the breast and 56 Gy in 20 fractions (2.8 Gy/fraction) to the tumour bed.

Thirty-four patients were included. The mean follow-up was 49.29 months, and the mean age was 52 years. The mean percentage of PTV from the mammary region that received 100% of the prescribed dose was 97.89% (range 95-100), and the mean PTV percentage of the tumour bed that received 100% of the dose was 98% (95-100).The local control and the overall survival were 100%, and the cosmesis was good in 82% of the patients. Grade 1 acute toxicity was present in 16 patients (47%), and grade 1 chronic toxicity occurred in 6 cases (18%).

The results of the present study demonstrate that hypofractionation with integrated boost using intensity-modulated radiation therapy is an acceptable option that provides excellent local control and low toxicity.