title: [Single fraction boost with high dose rate interstitial brachytherapy in conservative treatment of breast carcinoma].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We evaluated the effectiveness of interstitial high dose rate brachytherapy as a single fraction boost to the surgical bed in patients with breast cancer undergoing conservative treatment. The comparison was with the alternative of electron boost.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between April 1999 and December 2000, we conducted a prospective study of 84 patients with infiltrative breast carcinoma treated with conservative surgery, with free margins. This was followed by external radiotherapy to the breast of up to 46 Gy and one application of brachytherapy with needles inserted into the surgical bed, and administering 7 Gy to 90% with high dose rate (HDR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  With a mean follow-up of 43 months, only one patient had therapeutic failure in the implant area, and local control was 98.5%. Another patient had a 2nd tumour in a different quadrant and 3 developed metastasis. Survival at 5 years was 98.7%. Acute toxicity was minimal, with excellent or good cosmetic appearance in 95%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Brachytherapy with high dose rate as single fraction boost in conservative treatment of breast carcinoma is simple, fast, well tolerated, with excellent local control, good cosmetic appearance, and with minimal late-onset toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Valenciano de Oncología, C/Profesor Beltrán Báguena 19, 46009 Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Inmaculada
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Beato Tortajada
authors.forename: Jose Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Guinot Rodríguez
authors.forename: Leoncio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Arribas Alpuente
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aguayo Martos
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carrascosa Pérez
authors.forename: Maribel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tortajada Azcutia
authors.forename: Pedro Pablo
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Escolar Pérez
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maroñas Martín
authors.forename: Marisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chust Vicente
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Mengual Cloquell
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pesudo Ayet
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Casaña Giner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000379:methods*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage