Hypofractionated radiotherapy in carcinoma breast - A 5-year single institution experience.

BACKGROUND: Hypofractionated Radiotherapy has replaced Conventional Radiotherapy in Carcinoma Breast. This study aimed to assess locoregional failure, disease-free survival, and overall survival in patients treated over 5 years in our institution.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 453 patients with carcinoma of the breast eligible for whole breast radiotherapy were assessed from January 2018 to December 2023. Two-dimensional Radiotherapy was given via Telecobalt or LINAC. Demographic, disease, and treatment-related data were analyzed.

RESULTS: Median follow-up was 2.75 years (Range 0.3-5.2 years). Breast-conserving surgery and modified radical mastectomy were done in 21.81% and 78.18% of patients respectively. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was given in 55.2% of cases. Pathologically, 54.2% of patients had Stage IIB-IIIB and 45.7% had I-IIA.70.84% were given 42 Gy/15 # and the rest of them were given either 41.6 Gy/16 # or 40 Gy/15 #. Percentages of acute skin toxicities Grade I, II, and chronic were observed in 23.11%, 3.97%, and 5.07%, respectively. There were a total of 16 locoregional recurrences and 27 cases of distant metastasis in 5 years. Overall survival and disease-free survival after 5 years were 94.2% and 90.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Hypofractionated radiotherapy is a safe and efficacious choice for radical treatment of carcinoma breast patients post-surgery. It provides superlative results in concern to disease-free survival and overall survival with minimal acute and chronic toxicities.