Background Combining reirradiation (reRT) and hyperthermia (HT) has shown high therapeutic value for patients with locoregional recurrent breast cancer (LR). However, additional toxicity of... Show moreBackground Combining reirradiation (reRT) and hyperthermia (HT) has shown high therapeutic value for patients with locoregional recurrent breast cancer (LR). However, additional toxicity of reirradiation (e.g., rib fractures) may occur. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of potential risk factors on the occurrence of rib fractures.Patients and methods From 1982-2005, 234 patients were treated with adjuvant reRT + HT after surgery for LR. ReRT consisted typically of 8 fractions of 4 Gy twice a week, or 12 fractions of 3 Gy four times a week. A total of 118 patients were irradiated with abutted photon and electron fields. In all, 60 patients were irradiated using either one or alternating combinations of abutted AP electron fields. Hyperthermia was given once or twice a week.Results The 5-year infield local control (LC) rate was 70 %. Rib fractures were detected in 16 of 234 patients (actuarial risk: 7 % at 5 years). All rib fractures occurred in patients treated with a combination of photon and abutted electron fields (p = 0.000); in 15 of 16 patients fractures were located in the abutment regions. The other significant predictive factors for rib fractures were a higher fraction dose (p = 0.040), large RT fields, and treatment before the year 2000.Discussion and conclusion ReRT + HT results in long-term LC. The majority of rib fractures were located in the photon/electron abutment area, emphasizing the disadvantage of field overlap. Large abutted photon/electron fields combined with 4 Gy fractions increase the number of rib fractures in this study group. However, as these factors were highly correlated no relative importance of the individual factors could be estimated. Increasing the number of HT sessions a week does not increase the risk of rib fractures. Show less
Oldenborg, S.; Griesdoorn, V.; Os, R. van; Kusumanto, Y.H.; Oei, B.S.; Venselaar, J.L.; ... ; Tienhoven, G. van 2015
Background/purpose: Treatment options for irresectable locoregional recurrent breast cancer in previously irradiated area are limited. Hyperthermia, elevating tumor temperature to 40-45 degrees C,... Show moreBackground/purpose: Treatment options for irresectable locoregional recurrent breast cancer in previously irradiated area are limited. Hyperthermia, elevating tumor temperature to 40-45 degrees C, sensitizes radio-and-chemotherapy. Four hundred and fourteen patients treated with reirradiation + hyperthermia (reRT + HT) in the AMC((n=301)) and the BVI(n=113), from 1982 to 2005 were retrospectively analyzed for treatment response, locoregional control (LC) and prognostic factors for LC and toxicity.Patients/methods: All patients received previous irradiation (median 50 Gy). reRT consisted of 8 x 4 Gy-2/week (AMC) or 12 x 3 Gy-4/week (BVI). Hyperthermia was added once (AMC)/twice (BVI) a week.Results: Overall clinical response rate was 86%. The 3-year LC rate was 25%. The number of recurrence episodes, distant metastases (DM), tumor site, tumor size, time to recurrence and treatment year were significant for LC. Acute >= grade 3 toxicity occurred in 24% of patients. Actuarial late >= grade 3 toxicity was 23% at 3-years. In multivariable analysis reRT fraction dose was significantly related to late >= grade 3 toxicity.Conclusion: reRT + HT is an effective curative and palliative treatment option for patients with irresectable locoregional recurrent breast cancer in previously irradiated area. Early referral, treatment of chest wall recurrences <= 5 cm in the absence of distant metastases, provided the highest local control rates. The cumulative effects of past and present treatments should be accounted for by adjusting treatment protocol to minimize toxicity. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. Show less
