• Renzo Corvò, Francesco Ricchetti, Daniela Doino, Paolo Torielli, Stefano Agostinelli, Francesca Cavagnetto, Flavio Giannelli, Alessia D'Alonzo, Stefano Vagge, Liliana Belgioia, and Marina Guenzi.
• Radiotherapy Department, University and National Institute for Cancer Research, Genoa, Italy.
• Anticancer Res. 2010 Nov 1; 30 (11): 4749-53.

UnlabelledThe aim of this investigation was to evaluate the feasibility of a shortened whole-breast irradiation schedule with a concomitant boost delivered to the tumor bed once-a-week in patients with early breast cancer submitted to conservative surgery.Patients And MethodsPatients with pT1 and pT2 M0 carcinoma of the breast were selected. The basic course consisted of 4600 cGy to the whole breast in 20 fractions, 4 times a week, for 5 weeks. Once a week, a concomitant boost of 120 cGy was delivered to the lumpectomy area.ResultsFrom March 2007 to August 2008, we assessed this radiotherapy schedule in 377 patients. According to the RTOG/EORTC Toxicity Criteria, at treatment completion, 85% of patients showed G0-1, 12% G2 and 3% G3 skin toxicity. At 24 months, late toxicity was G0 in 92%, G1 in 7% and G2 in 1%; cosmesis was excellent or good in 95% of patients. To date, at a median follow-up of 33 months, no patient has yet experienced local relapse.ConclusionA shortened whole-breast irradiation schedule with a weekly concomitant boost may be an alternative option with acceptable toxicity and excellent cosmesis.

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