Late Toxicity of Hypofractionated Whole-Breast Radiotherapy in Early Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

Background: Adjuvant  radiation  therapy (RT)  reduces risk of  locoregional recurrence (LRR) and improves breast cancer-specific and overall survivals in the setting of whole-breast radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery. in hypofractionated regimen 40-42.5 Gy in 15 -16 fractions or 45-50.4 Gy in 25 – 28 fractions with boost to tumor bed 10-16 Gy in 4-8 fractions. After BCS, radiation therapy in the form of Whole Breast Radiation Therapy (WBRT) is the standard adjuvant treatment, with 90–95 percent local control rates.     The skin is especially sensitive to the toxic effects of radiation (ionizing radiation) due to its high cellular turnover rate. In fact, an estimated 74% to 100% of patients who receive RT for breast cancer will experience cutaneous toxicities. Aim: Evaluation of late skin toxicity of Adjuvant hypofractionated  Radiotherapy in early breast cancer patients. Subjects and Methods: This retrospective study will be conducted in Clinical Oncology & Nuclear Medicine Department, Zagazig University Hospitals. Random selection of cases who treated at the department, who fulfilled the eligibility criteria and received HF Rth from (2018 -2021). data will be collected from patient files and  follow up toxicity sheets. Late skin toxicity  was assessed in all patients. Results: There is high significant correlation between , DM, HTN  and late skin toxicity , , there is also  significant correlation between chemotherapy and late skin toxciciy. Regimen of chemotherapy has no significant correlation. Conclusion: HF-WBI is feasible and safe, because of the low rate of moderate-high scores toxicity. Chemotherapy and DM had impact on  late fibrosis .the rate of severe toxicity (> grade 2) was low even in these patients.