Objective: To investigate the outcomes of different dose-splitting radiotherapy regimens after radical or modified radical surgery for early-stage breast cancer.
Material and methods: Between 2015 and 2020, 412 patients treated with radiotherapy after radical or modified radical surgery for early-stage breast cancer were allocated into 3 groups according to different dose-splitting regimens of postoperative radiotherapy. Conventional radiotherapy group157 cases, 2Gy/ fraction, once/day, 5 times/week, DT50 Gy; Alternate-day radiotherapy group 202 cases, 3 Gy/fraction, 3 times/week, DT45Gy; Fast radiotherapy group 53 cases, Days 1 and 3, 5Gy/fraction, Days 15 and 17, 6.5 Gy/fr, DT23Gy. Overall, 318 cases were treated with chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy. For the whole group, the 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 87.4% and 89.6% respectively. The 5-year disease-free survival rates for the Conventional radiotherapy group, the Alternate-day radiotherapy group, and the Fast radiotherapy group were 90.8%, 86.5%, and 84.6% (P=0.13).The locoregional recurrence rates were 7.0%, 9.9 and 5.7 respectively. There was no significant difference between the three groups in terms of local control.
Conclusion: With similar 5-year disease-free-survival rates, and the same efficacy, Alternate-day radiotherapy has the advantage of giving fewer fractions, which is suitable for a unit with limited resources. Fast radiotherapy shortens the duration of the treatment, and its efficacy and toxic effects deserve further study.
Mamady Keita, MD, PhD. Outcomes of Different Radiation Therapy Dose-splitting regimens after Radical Surgery for Early-stage Breast Cancer.