Intraoperative radiotherapy during breast conserving surgery in patients previously treated with radiotherapy for Hodgkin's disease.
OBJECTIVE
Women who have received radiotherapy for Hodgkin's disease have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Breast-conserving surgery followed by breast irradiation is generally considered to be contraindicated in such patients owing to the high cumulative radiation dose to the breast. Mastectomy is therefore recommended as the preferred treatment option in these women.


METHODS
We report 3 patients affected by breast cancer who had previously been treated with mantle radiation for Hodgkin's disease and on whom breast-conserving surgery and full-dose intraoperative radiotherapy with electrons (ELIOT) were performed.


RESULTS
A total dose of 17 Gy (prescribed at 100% isodose) in one case and 21 Gy (at the 90% isodose) in two cases was delivered directly to the mammary gland without acute complications and with good cosmetic results.


CONCLUSIONS
In women previously irradiated for Hodgkin's disease, ELIOT could avoid repeat irradiation of the whole breast, thereby permitting conservative surgical treatment.
Intra
Mattia
M
Department of Breast Surgery, University of Milan, Italy. mattia.intra@ieo.it
Leonardi
Maria Cristina
MC
Gatti
Giovanna
G
Vento
Anna Rita
AR
Ciocca
Mario
M
Veronesi
Paolo
P
Bassani
Guillermo
G
Dos Santos
Gabriela Rosali
GR
Rodriguez
Julia
J
Luini
Alberto
A
Orecchia
Roberto
R
Veronesi
Umberto
U
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D007558:Italy; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D008875:Middle Aged; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors