Accelerated intensity-modulated external radiotherapy as a new technical approach to treat the index quadrant after conserving surgery in early breast cancer: a preliminary study.
OBJECTIVE
We present a novel technical approach to treat the index quadrant after conserving surgery in patients with early breast cancer and study its clinical feasibility.


METHODS
Patients selected for the study, after breast conserving surgery with histologically verified breast carcinoma, signed a full informed consent to intensity-modulated external radiotherapy of the partial breast. Treatment was performed with the 6 MV beam from one of the Elekta Precise LINAC units installed in our Department. The prescribed dose was 30 Gy in 5 fractions in 10 days.


RESULTS
Acute toxicity was minimal. No skin changes were noted during treatment or during the first 6 months after radiotherapy treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Accelerated partial breast irradiation using intensity-modulated external radiotherapy is technically feasible. We think the approach will give good results in terms of local control, toxicity and quality of life, at the same time sparing resources for the patient and health care system.
Livi
Lorenzo
L
Radiotherapy Department, Florence University, Florence, Italy. l.livi@dfc.unifi.it
Paiar
Fabiola
F
Buonamici
Fabrizio Banci
FB
Scoccianti
Silvia
S
Meldolesi
Elisa
E
Scotti
Vieri
V
Bastiani
Paolo
P
Cardillo
Carla Deluca
CD
Detti
Beatrice
B
Fondelli
Simona
S
Simontacchi
Gabriele
G
Mungai
Raffaello
R
Russo
Serenella
S
Mungai
Valiano
V
Biti
Gianpaolo
G
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000379:methods