The Role of Partial Breast Radiation in the Previously Radiated Breast

Am J Clin Oncol. 2019 Dec;42(12):932-936. doi: 10.1097/COC.0000000000000584.

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze breast cancer patients who previously had mantle-field or breast radiation (RT) followed by retreatment with external beam partial breast irradiation (EB PBI).

Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed all women with newly diagnosed early-stage breast cancer treated with lumpectomy and partial breast irradiation between 2007 and 2017 who had undergone prior chest or breast RT.

Results: Of 11 patients recorded, 8 (73%) had Hodgkin lymphoma, and 3 (27%) had ipsilateral breast cancer diagnosis. Median age at initial and second diagnosis was 28 and 48 years, respectively. The lymphoma patients received a dose of 35 Gy in 16 to 20 fractions to a classic mantle-upper abdomen field. Patients with an initial diagnosis of breast cancer received whole-breast RT (2 with 50 Gy/25 fractions, 1 with 40 Gy in 16 fractions). Median time from initial to second diagnosis was 22.6 years (range, 13.5 to 32.6 y). All had early-stage (I to II) invasive ductal carcinoma and were treated with lumpectomy or repeat lumpectomy and EB PBI. Four received a dose of 45 Gy/25 fractions, 4 to 50 Gy/25 fractions, and 3 to 42.4 Gy/16 fractions. All patients received adjuvant systemic treatment. Two patients had toxicity, 1 had grade 1 induration, and the other had grade 2 fat atrophy and grade 1 fibrosis. One patient developed a contralateral breast cancer. No locoregional recurrences were reported at the median follow-up of 4.6 years (range, 0.6 to 10.5 y).

Conclusion: EB PBI after lumpectomy seems to be a safe and effective RT treatment option for selected patients with prior RT and localized early-stage breast cancer.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Brachytherapy / methods*
  • Brachytherapy / mortality
  • Breast Neoplasms / mortality
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Cancer Care Facilities
  • Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / radiotherapy*
  • Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / surgery
  • Cohort Studies
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mastectomy, Segmental / methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / pathology
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / radiotherapy*
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Ontario
  • Patient Safety*
  • Prognosis
  • Radiotherapy Dosage
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Role
  • Survival Analysis
  • Treatment Outcome