Does the Use of BioZorb^® Result in Smaller Breast Seroma Volume?

To evaluate the impact of BioZorb^®, a 3D-bioabsorbable marker, on the tumor-bed boost volume and dosimetric parameters in adaptive boost planning for breast cancer.

Records were reviewed for 51 breast-cancer patients who underwent breast-conserving surgery and adjuvant whole-breast irradiation between January 2017 and October 2018. Changes in lumpectomy boost volume (LBV), doses to organs at risk, toxicity and cosmesis were compared between patients with and without BioZorb^® Chi-square test and paired and independent t-tests were used for comparisons of variables.

Median follow-up was 35.5 months. Mean LBV on initial CT (LBV1; 32.2 vs. 33.8 cc, p=0.74) and on boost computed tomography (CT) (LBV2; 25.3 vs. 24.8 cc, p=0.87) were similar with and without BioZorb^® The mean decrease from LBV1 to LBV2 was 9.0 cc and 6.8 cc with and without BioZorb^®, respectively (p=0.42). LBV1 was significantly positively correlated with a 20% reduction in LBV (p=0.02). Mean heart and lung doses on adaptive boost planning CT were slightly lower compared to initial planning CT in both groups. Acute breast pain was reported in 18/51 patients, 9 of whom had BioZorb^® (p=0.24). Grade-2 pain was reported in 5/51 patients, 3 of whom had BioZorb^® (p=0.11). Excellent or good cosmesis was reported in 36/41 patients. Fair cosmesis was reported in 5/41 patients, of whom 2 had BioZorb^® (p=0.64).

BioZorb^® placement does not impact the tumor-bed boost volume nor the variation of seroma volume within the period of treatment. More data and longer follow-up are needed to identify a measurable clinical impact of BioZorb® placement.