AbstractAim: The aim of the present study is to compare the acute toxicities between the accelerated course of hypo fractionated whole breast irradiation and conventional standard fractionation of Radiotherapy. Objectives: To determine the acute toxicities of skin. To determine the influence of breast volumes on acute skin toxicities. Materials and Methods: This is a single institutional prospective trial done in females who are known cases of early breast cancer treated by breast conservation therapy and referred to the department of radiotherapy for radiation. These patients meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria. This was conducted in Department of Radiation Oncology, MNJ institute of oncology and regional cancer centre, red hills, Hyderabad. A total of 40 cases were included in the study. 20 cases in the study arm and 20 cases in the control arm. The study is conducted during the period of august 2014 to November 2016. Inclusion Criteria was that age was 2080 years, ECOG performance score of 12, pathologically proven breast cancer, treated with breast conservation surgery, margins negative, AJCC stage 1 and 2 i.e. T1T 2, N0N 1. Exclusion Criteria was age <20 years and >80 years, bilateral breast cancer, prior H/O radiation to chest, metastatic disease at presentation, patients who do not give an informed consent. Results: Out of 40 patients, 20 patients were in the conventional arm and 20 patients were in the hypo fractionated arm. Compared to patients in the CF arm, patients in the hypofractionated arm had lesser number of grade 2 or more acute skin reactions. There was no statistical significance between the volume of breast and severity of reactions in the study. As there was homogenous dose distribution in the PTV (100 ± 7), there was no correlation between\ Dmax and the skin toxicities. As the follow up period was less, no comments could be made regarding local control rates and distant metastases. Hypofractionated radiotherapy had logistical advantages like less hospital stay, lesser financial expenditure and lesser burden on the radiotherapy equipment and personnel. Hence, hypofractionated radiotherapy can be safely practiced as an alternative to conventional fractionation. Conclusion: A comparative analysis of acute toxicities in hypofractionated radiotherapy vs standard fractionation in early breast cancer post breast conservation therapy was performed. No conclusion can be drawn from our study about locoregional recurrence because of the very short follow up period.
Keywords: Hypofractionated Radiotherapy; Breast Conservation Therapy.