Hypofractionation and concomitant boost to deliver adjuvant whole-breast radiation in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): a subgroup analysis of a prospective case series

Med Oncol. 2014 Feb;31(2):838. doi: 10.1007/s12032-014-0838-2. Epub 2014 Jan 12.

Abstract

To report the four-year outcomes of accelerated hypofractionated whole-breast radiotherapy (WBRT) with a concomitant boost (CB) to the tumor bed in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), we performed a subgroup analysis of 103 patients affected with DCIS within a cohort of 960 early breast cancer patients treated with breast conservation and hypofractionated WBRT. Prescription dose to the whole breast was 45 Gy (2.25 Gy/20 fractions) with an additional daily CB of 0.25 Gy to the surgical cavity (2.5 Gy/20 fractions up to 50 Gy). With a median follow-up of 48 months (range 12-91), no local recurrence was observed. Maximum detected acute skin toxicity was as follows: G0 in 35 % of patients, G1 in 54 %, G2 in 9 % and G3 in 2 %. Late skin and subcutaneous toxicity were generally mild with only 1 % of patients experiencing ≥G3 events (telangiectasia). No major lung and heart toxicity were detected. Cosmetic results were excellent in 50 % of patients, good in 37 %, fair in 9 % and poor in 4 %. Quality of life had a generally favorable profile both within the functioning and symptoms domains. The present result supports the hypothesis that DCIS patients could be safely treated with a hypofractionated schedule employing a CB to the lumpectomy cavity.

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / radiotherapy*
  • Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / surgery
  • Dose Fractionation, Radiation*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Mastectomy, Segmental
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Grading
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / drug therapy
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Prognosis
  • Prospective Studies
  • Quality of Life*
  • Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant