A comparison of long-term clinical outcomes of accelerated partial breast irradiation using interstitial brachytherapy as per GEC-ESTRO, ASTRO, updated ASTRO, and ABS guidelines

Brachytherapy. 2020 May-Jun;19(3):337-347. doi: 10.1016/j.brachy.2020.02.011.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate long-term clinical outcomes of women treated with accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) using multicatheter interstitial brachytherapy (MIB-APBI) with risk groups defined by Groupe Européen de Curie-thérapie and the European Society for Radiotherapy & Oncology (GEC-ESTRO), American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), updated ASTRO, and American Brachytherapy Society (ABS) guidelines and to elucidate the most appropriate guideline that could differentiate outcomes among its risk groups.

Methods and materials: Two hundred forty women underwent MIB-APBI during July 2000 to March 2013. Comparisons of long-term clinical outcomes (local control [LC], disease-free survival [DFS], cause-specific survival [CSS], and overall survival [OAS]) stratified by the risk groups proposed by the aforementioned patient selection guidelines were carried out on a prospectively maintained database.

Results: At a median follow-up of 114 months, 10-year LC, DFS, and OAS were 90%, 81%, and 83.5%, respectively, for the entire group. There was no statistically significant difference in the LC rates for risk groups by ESTRO, ASTRO, updated ASTRO and ABS guidelines. The 10-year DFS and OAS for GEC-ESTRO low-, intermediate-, and high-risk group was 75%, 88%, and 60% (p = 0.02) and 86%, 93%, and 62% (p = 0.001), respectively. Ten-year DFS and OAS in the ABS 2018-acceptable and ABS 2018-unacceptable group were 78% and 67% (p = 0.01) and 88% and 69% (p = 0.001), respectively. No significant difference in any of the outcomes was observed with risk groups suggested by ASTRO or updated ASTRO consensus guidelines.

Conclusions: None of the current patient selection guidelines for APBI could differentiate LC (main APBI endpoint) among its risk groups, whereas GEC-ESTRO and ABS guideline could differentiate DFS and OAS.

Keywords: APBI; Breast; Comparison; Interstitial brachytherapy; Patient selection guidelines.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brachytherapy / methods*
  • Breast Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mastectomy, Segmental
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Selection*
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic*
  • Radiation Oncology
  • Risk Factors
  • Survival Rate
  • United States