TITLE:
The Effect of Hypofractionated Radiotherapy on Tumor Control and Survival in Patients with High-Risk Breast Cancer
AUTHORS:
Aiat Morsy, Sara H. Hammouda, Samir Shehata
KEYWORDS:
Breast Cancer, Hypofractionated Radiotherapy, Tumor Control, Survival
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cancer Therapy,
Vol.10 No.1,
January
23,
2019
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND Adjuvant radiotherapy is given following surgery in
breast cancer patients. Hypofractonated radiotherapy can significantly reduce
the waiting time for radiotherapy, working load on machines, patient visits to
radiotherapy departments and medical costs. Material and Methods 244 patients
with high-risk breast cancer (stage IIB, stage III and stage IA with any of the following criteria:
lymphovascular invasion, hormonal receptor negative, young age) who underwent
Breast conservative surgery (BCS) or Modified radical mastectomy (MRM) were
enrolled in this study. All patients received adjuvant radiotherapy with
different hypofractionation schedules either 3900 cGY/13 fractions or 4240
cGY/16 fractions or 4005 cGY/15 fractions using linear accelerator with 6 MV
photon beam. Lateral/Medial tangential and Ipsilateral supraclavicular fields
were employed and the ipsilateral axilla was also irradiated if required to the
same dose with posteroanterior field. Patients were followed every 3 mons for
the first 2 years and every 6 mons thereafter. Outcomes were analyzed in terms
of tumor control and survival. Results 244 patients with high-risk
breast cancer requiring postoperative radiotherapy to the intact breast or
chest wall were treated. The mean age was 48 years (range 28 - 69 years). The
5-year locoregional free survival of all patients was 93.8% the local relapse
reported in 15 patients (6.2%) 7 patients at
site of operated scar & 8 patients at the regional lymph nodes. The median
follow up period was 75 months ranged from 49 to 102 months. Distant metastasis free
survival was 92.2%, the distant metastasis reported in 19 patients which
represent (7.8%) of all patients, median survival is 75 months ranged from 49 to 102
months and overall survival was 88.6%. Conclusion It is concluded that
hypofractionated radiotherapy is a simple and effective protocol in patients
with high-risk breast cancer regarding tumor control and survival.