Open AccessThe Impact of Intermediate Time between Chemotherapy and Hypofractionated Radiotherapy to the Radiation Induced Skin Toxicity for Breast Adjuvant Treatment
Author(s) -
Zygogianni Anna,
Kouloulias Vassilios,
Antypas Christos,
Armpilia Christina,
Kyrgias George,
Kouvaris John
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the breast journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.533
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1524-4741
pISSN - 1075-122X
DOI - 10.1111/tbj.12206
Subject(s) - medicine , lumpectomy , radiation therapy , toxicity , acute toxicity , breast cancer , cyclophosphamide , chemotherapy , dose fractionation , mastectomy , oncology , surgery , cancer , urology
To evaluate the impact of intermediate time between chemotherapy and radiotherapy ( ITCR ) to skin toxicity for a hypofractionated irradiation schedule. Forty‐four patients with stage I–II invasive breast cancer receiving postoperative radiotherapy ( RT ) after lumpectomy and axillary dissection were studied. All patients received RT with 6 MV linear accelerator ( LINAC ) with a total tumor dose of 53 Gy (Equivalent dose‐ EQD 2‐ 60 Gy), 2.65 Gy per fraction, in 20 fractions. All patients received six cycles of cyclophosphamide methotrexate fluorouracil chemotherapy i.v. every 21 days. Acute and late effects and cosmetic results were assessed using the E uropean O rganization for R esearch and T reatment of C ancer and R adiation T herapy O ncology G roup ( EORTC / RTOG ) R ating S ystem. The mean follow‐up was 7 years. The spearman rho test showed that there was a significant correlation between short ITCR and acute skin toxicity 3 months post RT , by means of acute radiation induced morbidity. None of the related late‐toxicity parameters was correlated with the ITCR . However, there was significantly higher acute toxicity when the ITCR was less than 20 days (p < 0.05). We may suggest that when a hypofractionated irradiation schedule is used for breast cancer patients, then the ITCR should be more than 20 days from chemotherapy.