[Partial breast irradiation for early breast cancer with favorable prognostic factors: 3-year results of the German-Austrian phase II-trial].

PURPOSE: To evaluate perioperative morbidity, toxicity and cosmetic outcome in patients treated with interstitial brachytherapy to the tumor bed as the sole radiation modality after breast conserving surgery.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

From 11/2000 to 11/2004, 240 women with early stage breast cancer participated in a protocol of tumor bed irradiation alone using pulsed dose rate (PDR) or high dose rate (HDR) interstitial multi-catheter implants (partial breast irradiation). Perioperative morbidity, acute and late toxicity as well as cosmetic outcome were assessed. Of the first 51 patients treated in this multicenter trial, we present interim findings after a median follow-up of 36 months.

RESULTS

Perioperative Morbidity: Bacterial infection of the implant: 2 % (1/51). Acute toxicity: radiodermatitis Grade 1: 4 % (2/51). Late toxicity: breast pain Grade 1: 8 % (4/51), Grade 2: 2 % (1/51); dyspigmentation Grade 1: 8 % (4/51); fibrosis Grade 1: 4 % (2/51), Grade 2: 8 % (4/51); telangiectasia Grade 1: 10 % (5/51), Grade 2: 4 % (2/51). Cosmetic results: Excellent and good in 94 % (48/51) of the patients.

CONCLUSION

This analysis indicates that accelerated partial breast irradiation with 192-iridium interstitial multicatheter PDR-/HDR-implants (partial breast irradiation) is feasible with low perioperative morbidity, low acute and mild late toxicity at a median follow-up of 36 months. The cosmetic result is not significantly affected.