• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.4685-4690
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• 2015

Purpose: To evaluate the correlation between cosmetic outcome (CO), body image, and quality of life in post breast-conserving therapy (BCT) women. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study concerned one-year post-completed BCT Thai women. The data included subjective and objective CO with a questionnaire covering demographic and clinical data, anti-hormonal treatment status, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, Self-Reported Cosmetic Outcomes (SRCO), Self-Reported Breast Symmetry (SRBS), Body Image Scale (BIS), and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy with Breast Cancer subscale (FACT-B). Participants had breast photographs taken for the evaluation of objective cosmetic outcome (OCO) after breast cancer conservation treatment. The relationship between CO and FACT-B was tested using Spearman's rank correlation Results: A total 127 participants volunteered for the study. The participant characteristics were age 52(${\pm}9$), Buddhist 87%, married 65%, body mass index 25.0(${\pm}4.6$), breast cup size A-C 91%, college educated 60%, employed 66%, ECOG 0-1 95%, tumor size less than or equal to 2 cm 55%, no lymph node metastasis 98%, and taking tamoxifen 57%. Two percent of the participants regretted their decision to undergo BCT. The SRCO was excellent in 2%, good in 68%, fair in 30%, and poor in 0%. For SRBS, rates were 17%, 58%, 24% and 1% for excellent, good, fair and poor cosmetic outcomes, respectively. The BCCT scores were excellent 24%, good 39%, fair 32%, and poor 6%. The median total QOL score of the participants was 130 (93-144). There was no significant correlation between CO and FACT-B scores. Conclusions: The significance of CO for FACT-B in Thai women with breast cancer could not be assessed in detail because of a very low level of correlation. The results may be due to the effects of cultural background.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.109-118
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• 2020

Purpose: Hypofractionated radiotherapy (RT) is becoming a new standard in postoperative treatment of patients with early stage breast cancer after breast conservation surgery. However, data on hypofractionation in patients with advanced stage disease who undergo mastectomy followed by local and regional nodal irradiation (RNI) is lacking. In this retrospective study, we report late-term effects of 3 weeks post-mastectomy hypofractionated local and RNI with two-dimensional (2D) technique in patients with stage II and III breast cancer. Methods: Between January 1990 and December 2007, 1,770 women with breast cancer who were given radical treatment with mastectomy, systemic therapy and RT at least 10 years ago were included. RT dose was 35 Gy/15 fractions/3 weeks to chest wall by two tangential fields and 40 Gy in same fractions to supraclavicular fossa (SCF) and internal mammary nodes (IMNs). SCF and IMNs dose was prescribed at d_max and 3 cm depth, respectively. Chemotherapy and hormonal therapy was given in 64% and 74% patients, respectively. Late-term toxicities were assessed with the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) scores and LENT-SOMA scales (the Late Effects Normal Tissue Task Force-Subjective, Objective, Management, Analytic scales). Results: Mean age was 48 years (range, 19 to 75 years). Median follow-up was 12 years (range, 10 to 27 years). Moderate/marked arm/shoulder pain was reported by 254 (14.3%) patients. Moderate/marked shoulder stiffness was reported by 219 (12.3%) patients. Moderate/marked arm edema was seen in 131 (7.4%) patients. Brachial plexopathy was not seen in any patient. Rib fractures were noted in 6 (0.3%) patients. Late cardiac and lung toxicity was seen in 29 (1.6%) and 23 (1.3%) patients, respectively. Second malignancy developed in 105 (5.9%) patients. Conclusion: RNI with 40 Gy/15 fractions/3 weeks hypofractionation with 2D technique seems safe and comparable to historical data of conventional fractionation (ClinicalTrial.gov Registration No. NCT04175821).

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.331-337
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• 1997

Purpose : To evaluate our experience in the breast-conserving treatment for early breast cancer with special regard to recurrence Pattern and related risk factors. Materials and Method :Two hundred and sixteen patients with AJC stage 1and 11 breast cancer who received breast conserving treatment between January 1991 and December 1994 were evaluated A9e distribution ranged from 23-80 year old with a median a9e of 44. One hundred and seventeen Patients had 71 lesions and 99 Patients had 72 lesions. Axillary lymph nodes were involved in 73 patients. All patients received a breast conserving surgery (wide excision to quadrantectomy) and axillary node dissection followed by radiotherapy. Ninety six patients received chemotherapy before or after radiotherapy. Results : During the follow-up period (3-60 months, median 30 months), local recurrences were noted in six Patients (true: 3, elsewhere; 1, skin: 2). Sixteen patients developed distant metastases as the first sign of recurrence at 8-38 months (median 20 months) after surgery. Among them, three patients simultaneously developed local recurrence with distant metastases. Contralateral breast cancer developed in one Patient and non-mammary cancers developed in three patients. The actuarial 5 year survival rate was $88.4\%\;(stage\;I\;96.7\%,\;stage\;IIa\;95.2\%,\;stage\;IIb\;69.9\%)$. Age, I stage, number of involved axillary lymph nodes. and AJC stage were risk factors for distant metastases in univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, the number of involved axillary lymph nodes was the most significant risk factor for metastases. Conclusion : Local recurrence was not common in the early years after radiotherapy. Distant metastases occurred at a steady rate during the first three years and was more common in the Patients with larger tumors, higher number of involved axillary nodes, and younger age.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.204-212
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the disease-free survival and risk factors of recurrence in early breast cancer patients who have undergone breast conserving surgery and radiation therapy. Materials and Methods: From March 1997 to December 2002, 77 breast cancer patients who underwent breast conserving surgery and radiation therapy were reviewed retrospectively. The median follow-up time was 58.4 months (range $43.8{\sim}129.4$ months) and the mean subject age was 41 years. The frequency distribution of the different T stages, based on the tumor characteristics was 38 (49.3%) for T1, 28 (36.3%) for T2, 3 for T3, 7 for T is and 1 for an unidentified sized tumor. In addition, 52 patients (67.5%) did not have axillary lymph metastasis, whereas 14 patients (18.1%) had $1{\sim}3$ lymph node metastases and 3 (0.03%) had more than 4 lymph node metastases. The resection margin was negative in 59 patients, close (${\leq}2\;mm$) in 15, and positive in 4. All patients received radiation therapy at the intact breast using tangential fields with a subsequent electron beam boost to the tumor bed at a total dose ranging from 59.4 Gy to 66.4 Gy. Patients with more than four positive axillary lymph nodes received radiation therapy ($41.4{\sim}60.4\;Gy$) at the axillary and supraclavicular area. Chemotherapy was administered in 59 patients and tamoxifen or fareston was administered in 29 patients. Results: The 5 year overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 98.08% and 93.49%, respectively. Of the 77 patients, a total of 4 relapses (5.2%), including 1 isolated supraclavicular relapse, 1 supraclavicular relapse with synchronous multiple distant relapses, and 2 distant relapses were observed. No cases of local breast relapses were observed. Lymph node metastasis or number of metastatic lymph nodes was not found to be statistically related with a relapse (p=0.3289) nor disease-free survival (p=0.1430). Patients with positive margins had a significantly shorter disease-free survival period (p<0.0001) and higher relapse rates (p=0.0507). However, patients with close margins were at equal risk of relapse and disease-free survival as with negative margins (p=1.000). Patients younger than 40 years of age had higher relapse rates (9.3% vs. 0%) and lower disease-free survival periods, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.1255). The relapse rates for patients with tumors was 14% for tumor stage T2, compared to 0% for tumor stage T1 tumors (p=0.0284). A univariate analysis found that disease-free survival and relapse rates, T stage, positive resection margin and mutation of p53 were significant factors for clinical outcome. Conclusion: The results of this study have shown that breast conservation surgery and radiation therapy in early breast cancer patients has proven to be a safe treatment modality with a low relapse rate and high disease-free survival rate. The patients with a positive margin, T2 stage, and mutation of p53 are associated with statistically higher relapse rates and lower disease-free survival.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.133-143
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• 2014

Purpose : The aim of this study was to determine the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features associated with re-excision due to the presence of a positive margin after breast conserving therapy (BCT) in breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records of 286 consecutive breast cancer patients who received BCT between January 2006 and December 2007. Among 246 patients who had undergone BCT, 38 (15.4%) underwent immediate further surgery due to positive margin status. We analyzed the MRI findings using ${\chi}^2$ test, Fisher's exact test and t tests. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted for prediction of re-excision. Results: Tumor size (p < 0.001), lesion multiplicity (p = 0.003), and non-mass-like enhancement (NMLE) type on MRI (p < 0.001) were associated with margin involvement in BCT. On preoperative MRI, larger size (${\geq}5cm$) (odds ratio = 2.96), NMLE (odds ratio = 3.81), and multifocal lesions (odds ratio = 2.54) were positively associated with re-excision. In cases involving NMLE, segmental distribution was associated with a greater likelihood of immediate re-excision. Conclusion: Larger size, multiplicity, and NMLE on MRI are significantly associated with re-excision after BCT in breast cancer patients. For NMLE lesions, the segmental distribution pattern was predictive of re-excision.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.39-49
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• 2010

Purpose: This aim of this study is to analyze the dosimetric difference between intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) using 3 or 5 beams and MSF in the radiotherapy of the left breast. Materials and Methods: We performed a comparative analysis of two radiotherapy modalities that can achieve improved dose homogeneity. First is the multistatic fields technique that simultaneously uses both major and minor irradiation fields. The other is IMRT, which employs 3 or 5 beams using a fixed multileaf collimator. We designed treatment plans for 16 early left breast cancer patients who had taken breast conservation surgery and radiotherapy, and analyzed them from a dosimetric standpoint. Results: For the mean values of $V_{95}$ and dose homogeneity index, no statistically significant difference was observed among the three therapies. Extreme hot spots receiving over 110% of the prescribed dose were not found in any of the three methods. A Tukey test performed on IMRT showed a significantly larger increase in exposure dose to the ipsilateral lung and heart than multistatic fields technique (MSF) in the low-dose area, but in the high-dose area, MSF showed a slight increase. Conclusion: In order to improve dose homogeneity, the application of MSF, which can be easily planned and applied more widely, is considered an optimal alternative to IMRT for radiotherapy of early left breast cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2505-2510
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• 2014

Background: The standard radiotherapy (RT) fractionation practiced in India and worldwide is 50Gy in 25 fractions over 5 weeks to the chest wall or whole breast followed by tumour bed boost in case of breast conservation (BCS). A body of validated data exists regarding hypofractionation in breast cancer. We here report initial results for 135 patients treated at our center with the START-B type of fractionation. Materials and Methods: From May 2011 till July 2012, women with all stages of breast cancer (excluding metastatic), who had undergone BCS or mastectomy were planned for 40Gy in 15 fractions over 3weeks to chest wall/whole breast and supraclavicular fossa (where indicated) followed by tumour bed boost in BCS patients. Planning was done using Casebow's technique. The primary end point was to assess the acute toxicity and the cosmetic outcomes. Using cosmetic scales; patients were assessed during radiotherapy and at subsequent follow up visits with the radiation oncologist. Results: Of the 135 patients, 62 had undergone BCS and 73 mastectomy. Median age of the population was 52 years. Some 80% were T1&T2 tumours in BCS whereas most patients in mastectomy group were T3&T4 tumours (60%). 45% were node negative in BCS group whilst it was 23% in the mastectomy group. Average NPI scores were 3.9 and 4.9, respectively. Most frequently reported histopathology report was infiltrating ductal carcinoma (87%), grade III being most common (58%), and 69% were ER positive tumours, and 30% were Her 2 Neu positive. Triple negative tumours accounted for 13% and their mean age was young (43 yrs.) The maximum acute skin toxicity at the end of treatment was Grade 1 in 94% of the mastectomy grouppatients and 71% in BCS patients. Grade 2 toxicity was 6% in mast group and 23% in BCS group. Grade 3 was 6% in BCS group, no grade 3 toxicity in mastectomy patients and there was no grade 4 skin toxicity in any case. Post RT at 1 month; 39% of BCS patients had persisting Grade I skin reaction which was only 2% in mastectomy patients. At 3 months post RT, 18% patients had persisting hyperpigmentation. At 6 months 8% patients had persisting erythema in the BCS group only. Some 3% BCS and 8% mastectomy patients had lymph edema till the date of evaluation. Cosmetic outcome in BCS patients remained good to excellent 6 months post surgery and radiotherapy. 1 patient of BCS and 3 patients of mast had developed metastatic disease at the time of evaluation. Conclusions: Hypofractionated RT is well tolerated in Indian population with reduced acute skin toxicity and good cosmetic outcome. Regimens such as these should be encouraged in other centers to increase machine output time. The study is on-going to assess long term results.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7785-7788
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• 2015

Utilization of high energy photons (>10MV) with an optimal weight using a mixed energy technique is a practical way to generate a homogenous dose distribution while maintaining adequate target coverage in intact breast radiotherapy. This study represents a model for estimation of this optimal weight for day to day clinical usage. For this purpose, treatment planning computed tomography scans of thirty-three consecutive early stage breast cancer patients following breast conservation surgery were analyzed. After delineation of the breast clinical target volume (CTV) and placing opposed wedge paired isocenteric tangential portals, dosimeteric calculations were conducted and dose volume histograms (DVHs) were generated, first with pure 6MV photons and then these calculations were repeated ten times with incorporating 18MV photons (ten percent increase in weight per step) in each individual patient. For each calculation two indexes including maximum dose in the breast CTV ($D_{max}$) and the volume of CTV which covered with 95% Isodose line ($V_{CTV,95%IDL}$) were measured according to the DVH data and then normalized values were plotted in a graph. The optimal weight of 18MV photons was defined as the intersection point of $D_{max}$ and $V_{CTV,95%IDL}$ graphs. For creating a model to predict this optimal weight multiple linear regression analysis was used based on some of the breast and tangential field parameters. The best fitting model for prediction of 18MV photons optimal weight in breast radiotherapy using mixed energy technique, incorporated chest wall separation plus central lung distance (Adjusted R2=0.776). In conclusion, this study represents a model for the estimation of optimal beam weighting in breast radiotherapy using mixed photon energy technique for routine day to day clinical usage.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3643-3646
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• 2016

Management of eyelid cancers is based on surgery and/or radiotherapy (RT). The treatment objective is to control tumors with acceptable functional and esthetic outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of radiation therapy in management of epithelial eyelid cancers, reviewing retrospectively the clinical records of patients treated in our institution from January 1989 to December 2013. We focused on clinical and histological features, treatment characteristics, tolerance and disease control. One hundred and eight patients (62 men and 46 women) were enrolled, with a mean age of 61 years [ranges 15-87]. The most frequent tumor location was the inner canthus (42.6%). Median tumor size was 21 mm [ranges 4-70]. Histological type was basal cell carcinoma in 88 cases (81.5%), squamous cell carcinoma in 16 (14.8%) and sebaceous carcinoma in 4 (3.7%). Radiation therapy was exclusive in 67 cases (62%) and post-operative for positive or close margins in the remaining cases. Kilovoltage external beam radiotherapy (KVRT) was used in 63 patients (58.3%) and low-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy in 37 (34.3%). Eight (7.4%) were treated with cobalt or with a combination of KVRT-cobalt, KVRT-electron beams, KVRT-brachytherapy or cobalt-electron beams. The total delivered radiation doses were 70 Gy (2 Gy/fraction) in 62 patients (57.4%), 66 Gy (2 Gy/fraction) in 37 (34.3%) and 61.2 Gy (3.4Gy/fraction) in 9 (8.3%). After a median follow-up of 64 months, we noted 10 cases of local recurrences(9.2%): 7 after exclusive and 3 after post-operative RT. No local recurrence occurred in patients treated with brachytherapy. Actuarial 5-year local recurrence-free rate, disease-free survival and overall survival were respectively 90%, 90% and 97%. T-stage was found to be a significant factor for recurrence (p=0.047). All acute radiation-related reactions were scored grade I or II. Delayed effects were eye watering in 24 cases (22.2%), eye dryness in 19 (17.6%), unilateral cataract in 7 (6.4%) and ectropion in 4 (3.7%). Radiation therapy and especially brachytherapy is an efficient treatment of eyelid cancers, allowing eye conservation and functional preservation with good local control rates and acceptable toxicity.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.192-199
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• 2004

Purpose: To determine the patterns on evaluation and treatment in the patient with early breast cancer treated with conservative surgery and radiotherapy and to improve the radiotherapy techiniques, nationwide survey was peformed. Materials and Methods: A web-based database system for korean Patterns of Care Study (PCS) for 6 common cancers was developed. Two hundreds sixty-one randomly selected records of eligible patients treated between 1998$\~$1999 from 15 hospitals were reviewed. Results: The patients ages ranged from 24 to 85 years(median 45 years). Infiltrating ductal carcinoma was most common histologic type (88.9$\%$) followed by medullary carcinoma (4.2$\%$) and infiltrating lobular carcinoma (1.5$\%$). Pathologic T stage by AJCC was T1 in 59.7$\%$ of the casses, T2 in 29.5$\%$ of the cases, Tis in 8.8$\%$ of the cases. Axillary lymph node dissection was peformed I\in 91.2$\%$ of the cases and 69.7$\%$ were node negative. AJCC stage was 0 in 8.8$\%$ of the cases, stage I in 44.9$\%$ of the cases, stage IIa in 33.3$\%$ of the cases, and stage IIb in 8.4$\%$ of the cases. Estrogen and progesteron receptors were evaluated in 71.6$\%$, and 70.9$\%$ of the patients, respectively. Surgical methods of breast-conserving surgery was excision/lumpectomy in 37.2$\%$, wide excision in 11.5$\%$, quadrantectomy in 23$\%$ and partial mastectomy in 27.5$\%$ of the cases. A pathologically confirmed negative margin was obtained in 90.8$\%$ of the cases. Pathological margin was involved with tumor in 10 patients and margin was close (less than 2 mm) in 10 patients. All the patients except one recieved more than 90$\%$ of the planned radiotherapy dose. Radiotherapy volume was breast only In 88$\%$ of the cases, breast+supraclavicular fossa (SCL) in 5$\%$ of the cases, and breast+ SCL+ posterior axillary boost in 4.2%$\%$of the cases. Only one patient received isolated internal mammary lymph node irradiation. Used radiation beam was Co-60 in 8 cases, 4 MV X-ray in 115 cases, 6 MV X-ray in 125 cases, and 10 MV X-ray in 11 cases. The radiation dose to the whole breast was 45$\~$59.4 Gy (median 50.4) and boost dose was 8$\~$20 Gy (median 10 Gy). The total radiation dose delivered was 50.4$\~$70.4 Gy (median 60.4 Gy). Conclusion: There was no major deviation from current standard in the patterns of evaluation and treatment for the patients with early breast cancer treated with breast conservation method. Some varieties were identified in boost irradiation dose. Separate analysis for the datails of radiotherapy planning will be followed and the outcome of treatment is needed to evaluate the process.