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Simultaneous Integrated Boost in Once-weekly Hypofractionated Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer in the Elderly:
Elisabetta Bonzano1, Liliana Belgioia2, Giorgia Polizzi2
1Department of Radiation Oncology, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy elisabettabonzano@gmail.com.
Aim:
To evaluate once-weekly hypofractionated radiotherapy in elderly patients affected by early breast cancer, reporting acute and late toxicity profiles, and treatment feasibility.
Patients And Methods:
Fifty patients were treated with a hypofractionated regimen: 28.5±2.5 Gy in five fractions at one fraction weekly. Simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) to the tumor bed in high-risk cases.
Inclusion Criteria:
patients over 70 years old, pT1-2, N0-1a. Acute and late toxicities were assessed based on Radiation Therapy Oncology Group.
Results:
The median follow-up was 20 months and the median patient age was 79 years. SIB was added for 22 patients (44%). Grade 3-4 acute cutaneous toxicities were not observed; grade 2 toxicity occurred only in four patients (8%). Late subcutaneous tissue toxicity consisted of grade 2 fibrosis in two patients (4%), grade 1 in five (10%) and grade 0 in 41(85%).
Conclusion:
Limiting fraction numbers with a safer profile may improve the management of breast cancer for the elderly.
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