Local hyperthermia combined with external irradiation for regional recurrent breast carcinoma

Backgrounds The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of hyperthermia in combination with radiotherapy for locoregional recurrence of breast cancer, and to assess the factors related to subsequent local tumor control.Methods Between March 1981 and February 2001, 85 lesions in 73 patients were treated with local hyperthermia combined with external irradiation. Of 75 evaluable lesions, 41 were previously irradiated. Mean radiation dose to the previously unirradiated area was 59.5 ± 6.8Gy (range, 40–70Gy), while a total dose of 43.0 ± 12.4Gy (range, 12–74.4Gy) was administered to previously irradiated tumors. Hyperthermia was administered once or twice per week. The average number of hyperthermia sessions was 4.5 (2–9).Results Complete responses (CRs) were achieved in 56% (23/41) of previously irradiated and 47% (16/34) of unirradiated tumors. There was no significant difference in the CR rate between the two groups. Compared with the response of bulky/nodular tumors, diffuse/multiple small nodular tumors showed a higher CR rate at 4 weeks after treatment. However, at 6 months after treatment, they showed a significantly lower local control rate.Conclusions The present findings suggested a significant benefit of local hyperthermia combined with radiotherapy in the treatment of locally recurrent breast cancer, especially for previously irradiated recurrence, by reducing the total irradiation dose. Diffuse/multiple small nodular tumors respond earlier than bulky/large nodular tumors; however, they tend to recur within the treatment field.     

Re-irradiation and hyperthermia after surgery for recurrent breast cancer

Purpose

Evaluation of efficacy and side effects of combined re-irradiation and hyperthermia electively or for subclinical disease in the management of locoregional recurrent breast cancer.

Methods and materials

Records of 198 patients with recurrent breast cancer treated with re-irradiation and hyperthermia from 1993 to 2010 were reviewed. Prior treatments included surgery (100%), radiotherapy (100%), chemotherapy (42%), and hormonal therapy (57%). Ninety-one patients were treated for microscopic residual disease following resection or systemic therapy and 107 patients were treated electively for areas at high risk for local recurrences. All patients were re-irradiated to 28–36 Gy (median 32) and treated with 3–8 hyperthermia treatments (mean 4.36). Forty percent of the patients received concurrent hormonal therapy. Patient and tumor characteristics predictive for actuarial local control (LC) and toxicity were studied in univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results

The median follow-up was 42 months. Three and 5 year LC-rates were 83% and 78%. Mean of T90 (tenth percentile of temperature distribution), maximum and average temperatures were 39.8 °C, 43.6 °C, and 41.2 °C, respectively. Mean of the cumulative equivalent minutes (CEM43) at T90 was 4.58 min. Number of previous chemotherapy and surgical procedures were most predictive for LC. Cumulative incidence of grade 3 and 4 late toxicity at 5 years was 11.9%. The number of thermometry sensors and depth of treatment volume were associated with acute hyperthermia toxicity.

Conclusions

The combination of re-irradiation and hyperthermia results in a high LC-rate with acceptable toxicity.     

Electrochemotherapy of chest wall breast cancer recurrence

Chest wall breast cancer recurrence after mastectomy is a disease difficult to treat. Its incidence varies between 5% and 30% in different subset of patients. When possible, radical surgical therapy represents the main treatment approach, however when the disease progresses and/or treatments are not successful, ulceration, bleeding, lymphedema and psychological distress of progressive disease significantly decrease the quality of the remaining life of a patient. When surgical excision of chest wall recurrence is not possible, other local treatments such as radiotherapy, radiotherapy with hyperthermia, topical chemotherapy and electrochemotherapy might be taken into account. Electrochemotherapy provides safe, efficient and non-invasive locoregional treatment approach for chest wall breast cancer recurrence. Several clinical studies have demonstrated high efficacy and a good safety profile of electrochemotherapy applied in single or multiple consecutive sessions, till clinical response was reached. Electrochemotherapy can be performed either with cisplatin injected intratumorally or with bleomycin given intratumorally or intravenously. Furthermore, it can be effectively used in heavily pre-treated areas, after surgery, radiotherapy or systemic chemotherapy. These are the advantages that might demand its use especially in patients with pre-treated extensive disease and in frail elderly patients. With development of the technology electrochemotherapy could even be suggested as a primary local therapy in patients not suitable for surgical removal of the primary tumor.     

Durable palliation of breast cancer chest wall recurrence with radiation therapy, hyperthermia, and chemotherapy

Background and purpose

Chest wall recurrences of breast cancer are a therapeutic challenge and durable local control is difficult to achieve. Our objective was to determine the local progression free survival (LPFS) and toxicity of thermochemoradiotherapy (ThChRT) for chest wall recurrence.

Methods

Twenty-seven patients received ThChRT for chest wall failure from 2/1995 to 6/2007 and make up this retrospective series. All received concurrent superficial hyperthermia twice weekly (median 8 sessions), chemotherapy (capecitabine in 21, vinorelbine in 2, and paclitaxel in 4), and radiation (median 45 Gy). Patients were followed up every 1.5-3 months and responses were graded with RECIST criteria and toxicities with the NCI CTC v4.0.

Results

Twenty-three (85%) patients were previously irradiated (median 60.4 Gy) and 22 (81%) patients received prior chemotherapy. Median follow-up was 11 months. Complete response (CR) was achieved in 16/20 (80%) of patients with follow-up data, and 1 year LPFS was 76%. Overall survival was 23 months for patients with CR, and 5.4 months in patients achieving a partial response (PR) (p = 0.01). Twenty-two patients experienced acute grade 1/2 treatment related toxicities, primarily moist desquamation. Two patients experienced 3rd degree burns; all resolved with conservative measures.

Conclusions

ThChRT offers durable palliation and prolonged LPFS with tolerable acute toxicity, especially if CR is achieved.     

Surgical treatment for chest wall invasion due to the local recurrence of breast cancer

Objective

In this study, we investigated the surgical results for chest wall invasion of local recurrence of breast cancer.

Patients and methods

We reviewed eight patients who underwent a chest wall resection for local recurrence of breast cancer in our department between 1986 and 2004.

Results

All of the patients had local recurrence without any distant metastasis. All of them had skin ulcers with blood oozing. The operation procedures were Bt + Ax + Ic + Mj + Mn (Halsted mastectomy) in four patients, Bt + Ax + Ic + Mn (Patey procedure) in two patients, Bt + Ax + Ic (muscle-preserving mastectomy) in one patient, and Bt + Ax (Auchincloss procedure) in one patient. The intervals from the primary operation ranged from 14 months to 20 years. The maximum and minimum areas of the chest wall defect were 18×16 cm and 4.5×3.5 cm, respectively. Reconstruction of the chest wall was performed using a flap of the rectus abdominis muscle with polypropylene (Marlex^®) mesh in four patients, a flap of the rectus abdominis muscle combined with sandwich prosthesis of polypropylene mesh and methylmethacrylate in one patient, a flap of latissimus dorsi muscle in one patient, polypropylene mesh with pectoralis major muscle in one patient, and by direct closure in one patient. A survivial of more than 3 years was achieved in seven patients and only one patient died 1 year and 2 months after the chest wall resection.

Conclusion

In patients with the chest wall recurrence of breast cancer without distant metastasis, a surgical resection of the chest wall may be effective both for relieving pain and for control of the local hemorrhage. Seven out of the eight patients survived more than 3 years, suggesting that this surgical treatment could facilitate home health care and maintain a good quality of life for patients with breast cancer.     

早期乳腺癌部分乳腺加速放疗

随着乳腺癌术后复发模式的研究进展,部分乳腺照射方法 成为乳腺癌放疗的热点.组织间插植、球囊近距离治疗、术中放疗及三维适形放疗和调强放疗等部分乳腺加速放疗已进入临床研究.其局部控制率和安全性与全乳腺照射比较相当,同时具有治疗周期短、方便患者等优势.部分乳腺加速放疗在部分患者有望代替全乳腺放疗,成为早期乳腺癌保乳术后放疗的标准治疗之一.

Abstract：

With a view to patterns of local recurrence after breast conserving surgery, whole breast irradiation(WBI) after surgery is controversial and partial-breast irradiation(PBI) came up. Many clinical trials related with accelerated partial-breast irradiation using a variety of radiotherapeutic techniques such as interstitial brachytherapy (IBT), MammoSite Radiation Therapy System, intraoperative radiotherapy(IORT), threedimensional conformal radiotherapy(3-DCRT)and intensity modulated radiation therapy(IMRT) in selected patients have been carried out. Accelerated partial-breast irradiation that provides faster, more convenient treat-ment demonstrates local control rate and safety comparable to that of whole breast irradiation. Partial breast irradiation may be an alternative way to whole breast radiotherapy and will be one of the standard treatments in women with early breast cancer seeking breast conservation.     

Ipsilateral breast recurrence after breast conserving surgery in patients with small (≤2 cm) breast cancer treated with modern adjuvant therapies

Background

Modern multimodality treatment greatly influences the rate and the predictive factors for ipsilateral cancer recurrence (IBR) after breast conserving surgery.

Material and nethods

The study is based on 1297 patients with pT1 breast cancer and treated with breast conserving surgery in February 2001-August 2005. The median duration of follow-up was 57 months.

Results

IBR occurred in 27 (2.1%) patients. It was located in the quadrant of prior breast resection in 17 (63%) cases. The median time to an IBR was 41 months (range, 6-78) regardless of whether the recurrence was located in the same or in another quadrant. Omission of radiotherapy was associated with a higher IBR incidence, HR 10,344 (95% CI 1904-56,184; p = 0.007). The IBRs occurred particularly often, in 27% of the 11 patients who refused radiotherapy. Patients diagnosed with ER+ cancer had a lower risk of IBR when compared with those with ER−/HER2+ cancer, HR 0.215 (95% CI 0.049-0.935; p = 0.040).

Conclusions

The risk of IBR was low during the first 5 years after breast resection among patients with pT1 breast cancer and treated with modern surgical and adjuvant therapies. The majority IBRs still occur at or close to the prior resection site underlining the importance of local therapies. Omission of radiotherapy was the most significant risk factor for IBR.     

Radiotherapy to the chest wall following mastectomy for node-negative breast cancer: A systematic review

Background. Although nodal status is the major determinant of risk of locoregional relapse (LRR), other factors also contribute, and these assume a greater significance for those with node-negative breast cancer. Previous reviews of post-mastectomy radiotherapy have included studies using radiotherapy techniques or doses no longer considered clinically appropriate. Objectives. To determine the effectiveness of post-mastectomy radiotherapy in women with node-negative breast cancer with particular reference to those patient and tumour factors which contribute to an increased risk of LRR. Methods. A systematic literature review was conducted. Trials using inadequate or orthovoltage radiotherapy were excluded. Data linking potential risk factors, either individually or in combination, to the occurrence of LRR were handled qualitatively. Data from randomised trials of post-mastectomy radiotherapy were included in a meta-analysis. Results. Baseline risk of LRR is increased in the presence of lymphovascular invasion, a grade 3 tumour, tumours greater than 2 cm or a close resection margin and in patients who are pre-menopausal or aged less than 50. Those with no risk factors have a baseline risk of LRR of approximately 5% or less rising to a risk of 15% or more for those with two or more risk factors. In the meta-analysis of three randomised trials of mastectomy and axillary clearance (667 patients), the addition of radiotherapy resulted in an 83% reduction in the risk of LRR (P < 0.00001) and in a 14% improvement in survival (P = 0.16). Conclusion. The use of post-mastectomy radiotherapy for women with node-negative breast cancer requires re-evaluation. Radiotherapy should be considered for those with two or more risk factors.     

乳腺癌术后胸壁复发的放射治疗

目的探讨放射治疗在乳腺癌根治术或改良根治术后胸壁复发患者中的合理应用及影响生存率的预后因素。方法接受放射治疗的乳腺癌术后胸壁复发患者共86例。中位随访时间为77.4个月。51例复发灶为单结节,19例为多结节,16例为弥散。67例为单纯胸壁复发,19例同时合并区域淋巴结复发。30例在放射治疗前接受手术切除。27例照射野为全胸壁,59例为局部小野。中位照射剂量为58Gy。结果①近期疗效65例(76%)病灶达到临床完全消退(CR)。单因素分析显示复发灶数目、直径和有无手术切除与临床CR率有关。②胸壁再次复发47例(55%)出现胸壁再次复发。采用小野照射发生野外复发的几率明显高于全胸壁照射(58%∶15%)。③生存率中位生存时间为6.3年,2、5和8年生存率分别为88%、62%和34%。62%的患者在随访期内出现远地转移。多因素分析发现无病间期长短和有无区域淋巴结累及是影响生存率的独立因素。结论照射野必须包括完整的胸壁以避免小野照射带来的高比例胸壁再次复发率。直径3cm以上或弥散的病灶需要综合治疗的配合以提高局部控制率。生存率预后良好的因素包括无病间期>2年,无区域淋巴结累及和复发灶表现为单结节。     

Postmastectomy electron beam chest wall irradiation in women with breast cancer: a clinical step toward conformal electron therapy

PURPOSE: Electron beam radiotherapy of the chest wall with or without lymph node irradiation has been used at the Institut Curie for >20 years. The purpose of this report was to show the latest improvements of our technique developed to avoid hot spots and improve the homogeneity. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The study was split into two parts. A new electron irradiation technique was designed and compared with the standard one (dosimetric study). The dose distributions were calculated using our treatment planning software ISIS (Technologie Diffusion). The dose calculation was performed using the same calculation parameters for the new and standard techniques. Next, the early skin toxicity of our new technique was evaluated prospectively in the first 25 patients using Radiation Therapy Oncology Group criteria (clinical study). RESULTS: The maximal dose found on the five slices was 53.4 +/- 1.1 Gy for the new technique and 59.1 +/- 2.3 Gy for the standard technique. The hot spots of the standard technique plans were situated at the overlap between the internal mammary chain and chest wall fields. The use of one unique field that included both chest wall and internal mammary chain volumes solved the problem of junction. To date, 25 patients have been treated with the new technique. Of these patients, 12% developed Grade 0, 48% Grade 1, 32% Grade 2, and 8% Grade 3 toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: This report describes an improvement in the standard postmastectomy electron beam technique of the chest wall. This new technique provides improved target homogeneity and conformality compared with the standard technique. This treatment was well tolerated, with a low rate of early toxicity events.     

Posperative radiation therapy for carcinoma of the breast: Improved results with elective irradiation of the chest wall

A review was conducted of all patients with primary cancer of the breast treated by the Radiation Therapy Department of Mount Sinai Medical Center from 1966–1978. The initial surgical procedure was radical mastectomy or modified radical mastectomy for 926 patients. The mean follow-up for this group was 6.42 years, the range was 1–13 years. All postoperative therapy was given with megavoltage equipment. Treatment was directed to either the peripheral lymphatics (internal mammary chain, supraclavicular and axillary apex) or to the peripheral lymphatics fossa and chest wall. The decision to include the chest wall within the treatment volume was based upon the extent of disease at the primary site and the degree of involvement of the axilla. Curves were generated to compare, by stage, control of disease for both postoperative radiotherapy techniques. The expected enhancement of local (regional) control was seen for patients with more advanced disease who received chest wall irradiation. Differences favoring the more comprehensively irradiated group were also seen in disease-free and overall survival for all three stages of disease, with statistically significant benefit in survival analysis for patients with Stage II and III disease. (Stage II-peripheral lymphatic group: 5 years = 54%; 10 years = 36%. Peripheral lymphatic plus chest wall group: 5 years = 71%; 10 years = 49 %.Stage III-peripheral lymphatic group: 5 years = 32%; 10 years = 15%. Peripheral lymphatic plus chest wall group: 5 years = 51 %; 10 years = 38%.) These results imply that microscopic residual disease within the soft tissues of the chest wall can metastasize without necessarily manifesting as regionally recurrent disease. Postoperative irradiation of the chest wall imparts additional survival advantage to a significant percentage of patients treated by radical surgery. Criteria for the inclusion of the chest wall within postoperative radiotherapy fields should be broadened.     

Current status and perspectives of brachytherapy for breast cancer

Before the era of breast-conserving therapy, brachytherapy implants were used to treat large inoperable breast tumors. In later years, interstitial brachytherapy with rigid needles or multiple flexible catheters has been used to deliver an additional (boost) dose to the tumor bed after breast-conserving surgery and whole-breast irradiation. Reexcision followed by reirradiation using interstitial breast implants has also been implemented as an alternative to mastectomy to treat ipsilateral breast local recurrence after previous breast-conserving therapy. In the past two decades, the new concept of accelerated partial breast irradiation opened a new perspective for breast brachytherapy. The first technique utilized in early accelerated partial breast irradiation studies was multicatheter interstitial brachytherapy. Beyond classical interstitial brachytherapy, recently, new intracavitary applicators have been developed in the United States to decrease the existing barriers against the widespread use of multicatheter brachytherapy. Furthermore, interstitial low-dose-rate seed implants have also been implemented as an alternative for stepping-source multicatheter brachytherapy. In this article, we give an overview of the past achievements, current status, and future perspectives of breast brachytherapy.     

Hypofractionated regional nodal irradiation for breast cancer: Examining the data and potential for future studies

Limited data are available examining the role of hypofractionated radiation schedules in the management of women requiring regional nodal irradiation (RNI). The purpose of this review is to examine the available literature for the efficacy (where available) and toxicity of hypofractionated radiation schedules in breast cancer with RNI limited to the axilla and supraclavicular regions. Multiple randomized and prospective studies have documented the safety and efficacy of hypofractionated schedules delivering whole breast irradiation (WBI) alone. Subsets from these randomized trials and smaller prospective/single-institution studies have documented the feasibility of hypofractionated RNI but the limited numbers prevent definitive conclusions and limited efficacy data are available. With regard to possible toxicity affecting organs at risk with RNI, key structures include the breast, skin, heart, lungs, axilla (lymphedema), and brachial plexus. Based on data from several randomized trials, hypofractionated radiation is not associated with significant changes in breast toxicity/cosmesis or cardiac toxicity; the addition of hypofractionated RNI would not be expected to change the rates of breast or cardiac toxicity. While RNI has been shown to increase rates of pulmonary toxicity, hypofractionated RNI has not been associated with more frequent pulmonary complications than standard RNI. Moving forward, future studies will have to evaluate for increased lung toxicity. With regard to lymphedema, data from randomized hypofractionated WBI trials failed to demonstrate an increase in lymphedema and smaller studies utilizing hypofractionated RNI have failed to as well. Data from head and neck cancer as well as hypofractionated breast radiation with RNI have failed to demonstrate an increase in brachial plexopathy with the exception of older trials that used much larger dose per fraction (>4 Gy/fraction) schedules. At this time, published data support the feasibility of hypofractionated RNI and the need for a prospective randomized trial addressing clinical outcomes and toxicity of hypofractionated RNI compared with standard fractionation RNI.     

部分乳腺加速照射近距离治疗技术设备进展

组织间插植是目前随访时间最长的部分乳腺加速照射（ＡＰＢＩ）近距离技术,但其技术实施复杂。球囊设备是简化的ＡＰＢＩ设备。ＭａｍｍｏＳｉｔｅ是第一个ＡＰＢＩ球囊近距离设备,其技术设备简单,很受医生和患者青睐。ＸｏｆｔＡｘｘｅｎｔＥｌｅｃｔｒｏｎｉｃＢｒａｃｈｙｔｈｅｒａｐｙ是改进的基于电子射线源的球囊设备,ＳｅｎｏＲｘＣｏｎｔｕｒａ相对ＭａｍｍｏＳｉｔｅ增加了４个放射源通道,可以更好地根据靶区调整剂量分布。Ｓｔｒｕｔａｄｊｕｓｔｅｄｖｏｌｕｍｅｉｍｐｌａｎｔ和ＣｌｅａｒＰａｔｈ是组织间插植与球囊结合的设备,结合了球囊设备单点插入的优点和组织间插植的剂量学优势。ＡｃｃｕＢｏｏｓｔ是基于乳腺Ｘ线摄影机的无创近距离设备,无需外科插入导管,对瘤腔形状的依赖性小,且无感染风险。     

Prognosis following local recurrence after breast conserving treatment in young women with early breast cancer

Background

Few studies have focussed on the prognosis of young women with local recurrence (LR) after breast-conserving therapy and the factors that can be used to predict their prognosis.

Methods

We studied the outcome and related prognostic factors in 124 patients with an isolated local recurrence in the breast following breast-conserving surgery and radiotherapy for early stage breast cancer diagnosed at the age of 40 years or younger.

Results

The median follow-up of the patients after diagnosis of LR was 7.0 years. At 10 years from the date of salvage treatment, the overall survival rate was 73% (95% CI, 63–83), the distant recurrence-free survival rate was 61% (95% CI, 53–73), and the local control rate (i.e. survival without subsequent LR or local progression) was 95% (95% CI, 91–99). In the multivariate analysis, the risk of distant metastases also tended to be higher for patients with LR occurring within 5 years after BCT, as compared to patients with LR more than 5 years after BCT (Hazard ratio [HR], 1.89; p = 0.09). A worse distant recurrence-free survival was also observed for patients with a LR measuring more than 2 cm in diameter, compared to those with a LR of 2 cm or smaller (HR, 2.88; p = 0.007), and for patients with a LR causing symptoms or suspicious findings at clinical breast examination, compared to those with a LR detected by breast imaging only (HR 3.70; p = 0.03).

Conclusions

These results suggest that early detection of LR after BCT in young women can improve treatment outcome.     

Radiotherapy following mastectomy: indication and contraindication of chest wall irradiation

Purpose: To determine in which cases radiotherapy of the chest wall following mastectomy is indicated, based on the local recurrent rate in patients with locally advanced breast cancer.

Methods and Materials: From 1984 until 1994, 105 patients who had four or more histopathologically confirmed axillary nodes metastases, or T3-4Nany, were subjected to mastectomy and were administered radiotherapy postoperatively using the hockey-stick field, which included the ipsilateral supraclavicular fossa and internal mammary nodes, except the chest wall. Median age was 51 years old (range, 23 to 82 years old). Eighty-five patients underwent radical mastectomy, 18 modified radical mastectomy, and 2 extended radical mastectomy. Fraction size was 2 Gy/day, the weekly fraction size was 10 Gy and the total dose ranged from 44 Gy to 54 Gy (median 50 Gy). Seventy-four patients were administered adjuvant chemotherapy, and 61 patients were administered hormone therapy.

Results: The 5-year disease-free survival rates of the whole study population were 66%. The 5-year chest wall recurrence rates were 10%. The 5-year chest wall recurrence rates of the patients who had no vascular invasion (n = 19) and the patients who had definite vascular invasion (n = 38) were 0% and 24%, respectively (p = 0.036). All the patients who presented chest wall recurrence had four or more axillary nodes metastases. Nine of the 10 patients who presented chest wall recurrence had definite vascular invasion, while there was no information about vascular invasion for the remaining patient. Factors such as age, pathological subtypes, tumor location, estrogen receptors, extent of resection, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy did not influence the development of chest wall recurrence.

Conclusion: Among patients with breast cancer who have four or more positive axillary nodes or T3-4Nany, those who have no vascular invasion or less than 4 axillary nodes metastases do not need to be subjected to chest wall irradiation after radical mastectomy.     

Late breast recurrence after lumpectomy and irradiation

For 276 patients with early breast cancer followed from 10-21 years after lumpectomy and radiotherapy, the recurrence rate in the treated breast was 15.6%, and 7.2% developed contralateral breast cancer. Only 63% of breast recurrences occurred within 5 years, and the remainder were "late failures," with 5 of the 43 recurrences observed after 10 years. The proportion of failures occurring late was greater for T1 than for T2 tumors (53% vs 25%). Twenty-six percent of early recurrences were inoperable, and an adverse impact of early recurrence on 10-year survival was clearly demonstrable. Late recurrences were all operable and did not appear to be associated with decreased survival. Only 16 of the 36 patients (44%) with operable breast recurrence ever developed metastatic disease, and 5 year survival following salvage therapy was 62%. Although the treated breast remains at continuous cancer risk even beyond 5 year, the prognosis of late recurrence appears quite similar to that of contralateral breast cancer. We do not consider the phenomenon of late recurrence to lend support to a policy of primary mastectomy, just as the existence of contralateral breast cancer does not justify routine "prophylactic" contralateral mastectomy.     

Radiotherapy with concurrent docetaxel for advanced and recurrent breast cancer

BACKGROUND: Docetaxel has shown remarkable radiosensitizing properties in vitro. In this study we investigated whether the addition of docetaxel to radiotherapy enhanced tumor response in patients with advanced or recurrent breast cancer. METHODS: A total of 35 patients were enrolled in this study. Docetaxel was administered concurrently during radiotherapy. Radiation doses were 54 to 69 Gy (median 60 Gy). In those enrolled through January 2000, docetaxel 40 mg/m2 was administered biweekly (once every two weeks), with subsequent dose adjustments based on tolerance and bone marrow and liver function. Beginning in February 2000, a weekly docetaxel schedule was used instead. This new regimen was based on data suggesting reduced myelosuppression with this regimen. The weekly dose rate was 20 mg/m2, with dose reductions for impaired organ function. RESULTS: All patients were evaluated for toxicity and response and a total of 40 irradiated sites were evaluated for local response. The overall response rate of irradiated sites was 95% and the CR rate was 68%. CR and PR were achieved in 40%, 37% of patients, respectively. Acute toxicities were tolerated by most patients: 17% had Grade 3-4 neutropenia, 6% had Grade 3-4 radiation dermatitis, and 3% had Grade 3-4 pneumonitis. CONCLUSION: The combination of docetaxel with radiotherapy is an active and safe regimen in patients with inoperable advanced or recurrent breast cancer. We determined the recommended dose of docetaxel with concomitant radiotherapy to be 20 mg/m2 weekly for a Phase II study. Further study is necessary to assess the impact of this treatment on long-term outcome.     

Twelve-year clinical outcomes and patterns of failure with accelerated partial breast irradiation versus whole-breast irradiation: Results of a matched-pair analysis

Background and Purpose

To compare 12-year outcomes of accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) versus whole-breast irradiation (WBI) in patients treated with breast conservation.

Materials and Methods

A matched-pair analysis was performed using 199 patients receiving WBI and 199 patients receiving interstitial APBI. Match criteria included tumor size, age, nodal status, ER status, and the use of adjuvant hormonal therapy. Patterns of failure and efficacy of salvage treatments were examined.

Results

No differences were seen in the 12-year rates of local recurrence (3.8% vs. 5.0%, p = 0.40), regional recurrence (0% vs. 1.1%, p = 0.15), disease free survival (DFS) (87% vs. 91%, p = 0.30), cause-specific survival (CSS) (93% vs. 95%, p = 0.28), or overall survival (OS) (78% vs. 71%, p = 0.06) between the WBI and APBI groups, respectively. The rate of distant metastases was lower in the APBI group (10.1% vs. 4.5%, p = .05). Following LR, no difference in outcome was seen between the two groups with 5 year post-LR rates of DFS (80% vs. 86%, p = 0.55), CSS (88% vs. 75%, p = 0.77), and OS (88% vs. 75%, p = 0.77), respectively.

Conclusions

With 12-year follow-up, APBI produced outcomes equivalent to WBI. Following LR, patients treated with APBI also had similar failure patterns to those managed with WBI.