International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Dec 2002
Optimizing breast cancer treatment efficacy with intensity-modulated radiotherapy.
To present our clinical experience using intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to improve dose uniformity and treatment efficacy in patients with early-stage breast cancer treated with breast-conserving therapy. ⋯ The use of intensity modulation with our sMLC technique for tangential whole breast RT is an efficient method for achieving a uniform and standardized dose throughout the whole breast. Strict dose-volume constraints can be readily achieved resulting in both uniform coverage of breast tissue and a potential reduction in acute and chronic toxicities. Because the median number of sMLC segments required per patient is only 6, the treatment time is equivalent to conventional wedged-tangent treatment techniques. As a result, widespread implementation of this technology can be achieved with minimal imposition on clinic resources and time constraints.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Dec 2002
Correlation of clinical and pathologic features with outcome in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast treated with breast-conserving surgery and radiotherapy.
Although breast-conserving surgery followed by radiotherapy (RT) has become a standard treatment option for patients with ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast, risk factors for ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) in these patients remain an active area of investigation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of clinical and pathologic features on long-term outcome in a cohort of DCIS patients treated with breast-conserving surgery plus RT. ⋯ In this cohort of uniformly treated patients with a relatively long follow-up, the presence of necrosis was a significant predictor of local relapse. However, positive or close margin status was not a significant predictor of local relapse. Although none of the patients receiving tamoxifen had a recurrence in the ipsilateral or contralateral breast, longer follow-up is required to assess the effect of tamoxifen on these end points.