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Breast size impact on adjuvant radiotherapy adverse effects and dose parameters in treatment planning


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Figure 1

Percentage of patients experiencing ≥ G2 acute breast toxicity, categorised in groups of small, medium, or large-sized breasts as reported in selected studies. The numbers displayed in parentheses are the absolute numbers of patients experiencing toxicity and absolute numbers of patients in a group. De Langhe et al. grouped small and medium-sized breasts in one category.
Percentage of patients experiencing ≥ G2 acute breast toxicity, categorised in groups of small, medium, or large-sized breasts as reported in selected studies. The numbers displayed in parentheses are the absolute numbers of patients experiencing toxicity and absolute numbers of patients in a group. De Langhe et al. grouped small and medium-sized breasts in one category.

Selected studies evaluating IMRT versus 2D-RT or 3D-CRT. Patients were further stratified by small, medium or large-sized breasts.

StudyNumber of patientsType of studyTechniqueTotal dose and Fractionation CF/HFBreast size (median breast volume)cm3Scoring systemG1 or G2 (%) (whole group)G2 or G3 (%) (whole group)G3 or G4 (%) (whole group)General comments
Freedman 200627131Case-control retrospective studyF-IMRT 2D-RT46–50 Gy in 23–25 fractions + boost 10–16 GyBreast size was grouped as small (34 A, B; 36 A), medium (34 C; 36 B, C; 38A, B, C), or large (any D or size ≥ 40)CTCAE v. 3.030 (IMRT) 28 (2D-RT)70 (IMRT) 72 (2D-RT)0 (IMRT) 0 (2D-RT)IMRT is associated with a decrease in severity of acute desquamation compared with a matched control group treated with conventional radiation therapy.
Harsolia, 200725172Retrospective studyF-IMRT 2D-RTCF median dose 45 Gy + 16 Gy boost1.326 (IMRT) 1.489 (2D-RT) Breast volume divided into groups: 1.000 cm3 (small), 1.000–1.599 cm3 (medium), 1.600 cm3 (large)NCI CTC v. 2.041 (IMRT) 85 (2D-RT)1 (IMRT) 6 (2D-RT)Lower rates of ≥ G2 toxicity with IMRT regardless of breast size.≥ G2 clinical toxicities associated with larger irradiated breast sizes, on average (<1.000 cm3; vs. >1.600 cm3)No G3 acute toxicity with breast volume (<1.000 cm3) and 3% G3 skin reaction in patients with breast volumes 1.600 cm3.
Freedman 200910804Retrospective studyF-IMRT 2D-RT46–50 Gy in 23–25 fractions + boost 10–18 GyBra size, (at least 63% with small and medium sizes)Small (32; 34A, B; 36A), Medium (34C; 36B, C;38A, B, C); Large (any D or size 40+)CTCAE v. 3.052 (IMRT) 75 (2D-RT)More large-breasted patients in IMRT group.IMRT reduces the incidence of ≥ G2 dermatitis in women of all breast sizes.
Shah 201223335Prospective studyIMRT 2D-RT IMRT: HF -inversely planned IMRT CF - forward planned IMRTMedian dose 45 Gy + boost 16 Gy or 42.56 Gy without a boost1.378 for the whole groupCTCAE v. 3.01 (CF-IMRT) 23 (HF-IMRT) 12 (2D-RT)IMRT is associated with reduced toxicities compared with 2D radiotherapy.
Breast volume divided into groups: 1.000 cm3 (small), 1.000-1.599 cm3 (medium), 1.600 cm3 (large)In large-breasted patients, CF-IMRT was associated with reduced acute toxicities, while HF-IMRT was not.
Hardee 20122897Prospective studyH-IMRT 3D-CRT IMRT: hybrid IMRT using a mixture of 3D tangent fields and dynamic multileaf collimator (MLC) IMRT fields in a 2:1 ratio46 Gy in 23 fractions + 14-Gy boost or 42.72 Gy in 16 fractions; all in prone positionBreast size was classified as small (A cup, <750 cm3), medium (B-C cups, 750–1.499 cm3), and large (D cup or larger,≥ 1,500 cm3)RTOG5.1% ≥ G2Hypofractionated breast radiotherapy is well tolerated when treating patients in the prone position, even among those with large breast volumes. Breast IMRT significantly improves dosimetry but yields only a modest but confirmed benefit in terms of toxicities.
De Langhe 201432377Prospective studyProne or supine position with INV-IMRT or prone with F-IMRT or prone position with DIBH (n = 22) or supine F-IMRT ± DIBH40.05 Gy in 15 fractions + boost 10 Gy in 4 fractions (90–75% of patients) or 50 Gy in 25 fractions for 65% of patients with bra cup size ≥ DBreast size was classified A, B, C and ≥ D cupCTCAE v. 3.057.3 (≥ G2)CF, supine IMRT, concomitant hormone treatment, high BMI, large breast, smoking during treatment, and genetic variation (in MLH1 rs1800734): all were associated with ≥ G2 toxicity.
eISSN:
1581-3207
Language:
English
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4 times per year
Journal Subjects:
Medicine, Clinical Medicine, Radiology, Internal Medicine, Haematology, Oncology