Retrospective analysis of concurrent vs. sequential administration of radiotherapy and hormone therapy using aromatase inhibitor for hormone receptor-positive postmenopausal breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
The optimal sequence of adjuvant aromatase inhibitors and postoperative radiotherapy for postoperative patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer treated with breast-conserving surgery is unknown.


METHODS
Retrospective analyses of the association of the treatment sequence (concurrent or sequential) of postoperative radiotherapy and adjuvant hormone therapy using aromatase inhibitors with breast cancer outcomes such as ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence, relapse-free and overall survival, and treatment-related complications were performed. Patients were grouped as concurrent (aromatase inhibitors given during radiotherapy followed by continued aromatase inhibitors; 113 patients) and sequential (radiotherapy followed by aromatase inhibitors; 151 patients).


RESULTS
At a median follow-up of 2.9 years, there were no differences in the breast cancer outcomes and treatment-related complications between the two treatment groups. In addition, the frequencies of grade 3-5 treatment-related complications were very rare for both treatment groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Both concurrent and sequential use of postoperative radiotherapy and adjuvant hormone therapy using aromatase inhibitors may be allowed in terms of the breast cancer outcomes and treatment-related complications.
Ishitobi
Makoto
M
Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Osaka Medical Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases, Osaka 537-8511, Japan. isitobi-ma@mc.pref.osaka.jp
Komoike
Yoshifumi
Y
Motomura
Kazuyoshi
K
Koyama
Hiroki
H
Nishiyama
Kinji
K
Inaji
Hideo
H
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000077384:Anastrozole; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077289:Letrozole; D008875:Middle Aged; D009570:Nitriles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017698:Postmenopause; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014230:Triazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D009570:Nitriles; D014230:Triazoles; D000077384:Anastrozole; D000077289:Letrozole