Long-term cosmetic changes after breast-conserving treatment of patients with stage I-II breast cancer and included in the EORTC 'boost versus no boost' trial

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2012

Authors

Immink, JM (Author) Other; Putter, H (Author) Other; Bartelink, H (Author) Other; Cardoso, JS (Author) FEUP; Cardoso, MJ (Author) Other; van der Hulst Vijgen, MHV (Author) Other; Noordijk, EM (Author) Other; Poortmans, PM (Author) Other; Rodenhuis, CC (Author) Other; Struikmans, H (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Annals of Oncology

Vol. 23 No. 10

Pages: 2591-2598

ISSN: 0923-7534

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 49 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 52 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Clinical medicine

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-4ZA

DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mds066

Abstract (EN): In breast cancer treated with breast-conserving radiotherapy, the influence of the boost dose on cosmetic outcome after long-term follow-up is unknown. We included 348 patients participating in the EORTC 'boost versus no boost' mega trial with a minimum follow-up of 6 years. Digitalised pictures were analysed using specific software, enabling quantification of seven relative asymmetry features associated with different aspects of fibrosis. After 3 years, we noted a statistically significantly poorer outcome for the boost patients for six features compared with those of the no boost patients. Up to 9 years of follow-up, results continued to worsen in the same magnitude for the both patient groups. We noted the following determinants for poorer outcome: (i) boost treatment, (ii) larger excision volumes, (iii) younger age, (iv) tumours located in the central lower quadrants of the breast and (v) a boost dose administered with photons. A boost dose worsens the change in breast appearance in the first 3 years. Moreover, the development of fibrosis associated with whole-breast irradiation, as estimated with the relative asymmetry features, is an ongoing process until (at least) 9 years after irradiation.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8