Patient Reported Satisfaction Outcomes After Breast Radiation Using Intraoperative Radiation Therapy vs. External Beam Radiation Therapy.

OBJECTIVE

Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT), is an alternative to postoperative whole breast irradiation for early-stage breast cancer. The aim of this study was to assess patient reported outcomes (PRO) on cosmetic results and radiation related adverse effects after IORT vs. external beam radiation therapy (EBRT).

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Patients treated with IORT for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or early-stage breast cancer between 2017-2023 were asked to submit the pre-validated BREAST-Q survey tool for objective aesthetic evaluation. A matching cohort of patients treated with EBRT during the same time interval was also asked to submit the same survey.

RESULTS

Eighty-eight patients were included, 56 (63.0%) with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and 32 (36%) with DCIS. Thirty (68%) patients with IDC and 14 (31%) patients with DCIS had IORT. Patient satisfaction scores with breast cosmesis was higher in IORT group compared to EBRT (mean, 83.7 vs. 74.2; p = 0.05). Less radiation related adverse effects were reported after IORT (mean, 7.7) as compared with EBRT (mean, 10.6) (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that in comparison to EBRT, patients treated with IORT have higher satisfaction scores related to breast cosmesis and less radiation related adverse effects.