Skin-sparing radiation using intensity-modulated radiotherapy after conservative surgery in early-stage breast cancer: a planning study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility of skin-sparing by configuring it as an organ-at-risk (OAR) while delivering whole-breast intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in early breast cancer.


METHODS
Archival computed tomography scan images of 14 left-sided early-breast tumor patients who had undergone lumpectomy were selected for this study. Skin was contoured as a 4- to 5-mm strip extending from the patient outline to anterior margin of the breast planning target volume (PTV). Two IMRT plans were generated by the helical tomotherapy approach to deliver 50 Gy in 25 fractions to the breast alone: one with skin dose constraints (skin-sparing plan) and the other without (non-skin-sparing plan). Comparison of the plans was done using a two-sided paired Student t test.


RESULTS
The mean skin dose and volume of skin receiving 50 Gy were significantly less with the skin-sparing plan compared with non-skin-sparing plan (42.3 Gy vs. 47.7 Gy and 12.2% vs. 57.8% respectively; p < 0.001). The reduction in skin dose was confirmed by TLD measurements in anthropomorphic phantom using the same plans. Dose-volume analyses for other OARs were similar in both plans.


CONCLUSIONS
By configuring the skin as an OAR, it is possible to achieve skin dose reduction while delivering whole-breast IMRT without compromising dose profiles to PTV and OARs.
Saibishkumar
Elantholi P
EP
Division of Radiation Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
MacKenzie
Marc A
MA
Severin
Diane
D
Mihai
Alina
A
Hanson
John
J
Daly
Helene
H
Fallone
Gino
G
Parliament
Matthew B
MB
Abdulkarim
Bassam S
BS
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects*; D047368:Tumor Burden