title: Similar Outcomes of Standard Radiotherapy and Hypofractionated Radiotherapy Following Breast-Conserving Surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Adjuvant radiation therapy is commonly administered to breast cancer patients who received breast-conserving surgery. However, lengthy treatment times of standard radiotherapy pose certain challenges. Here, we performed a prospective controlled study comparing standard radiation to hypofractionated radiotherapy in terms of efficacy and outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty breast cancer patients (tumor stage pT1-2N0-1M0) who had undergone breast-conservation surgery were randomly divided into 2 groups (40 patients/group). The experimental group received 43.2 Gy to the whole breast in 18 fractions for 24 days with a concomitant boost (50.4 Gy) to the tumor bed. The control group received 45 Gy to the whole breast in 25 fractions for 44 days with a boost to the tumor bed of 59 Gy. Survival, locoregional recurrence, adverse effects, and aesthetic results were all considered for analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The following criteria were included as part of study follow-up: local control, survival, adverse skin reactions, cosmetic outcome, and hematological toxicity. At a median follow-up of 27 months (follow-up rate 100%), there were no statistical differences in any of the categories between the 2 groups. The 2-year survival rate of both groups was 100% without any locoregional recurrence. Although there was some skin toxicity, these instances were not severe and they cleared on their own within 6 weeks. The most common problems encountered by patients were breast fibrosis and altered pigmentation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A shortened whole-breast hypofractionated irradiation schedule with a concomitant boost is as effective as standard radiation and may be a reasonable alternative following breast conservation surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Hai-Ling
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Yong-Chun
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Rui-Ying
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Lu-Jun
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Zhi-Yong
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Jin-Qiang
authors.initials: JQ
authors.lastname: You
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Zhong-Jie
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome