Single fraction of accelerated partial breast irradiation in the elderly: early clinical outcome

BACKGROUND: To analyze the clinical outcome of elderly women with early breast cancer who underwent accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) based on a post-operative single fraction of multicatheter interstitial high dose–rate brachytherapy (MIB). METHODS: A single institution retrospective cohort study was performed focusing on elderly patients (≥ 65 years old) presenting a low-risk breast carcinoma treated by lumpectomy plus axillary evaluation followed by MIB. A single fraction of 16 Gy was prescribed on the 100% isodose. Clinical outcome at 3 years was reported based on local relapse free survival (3-y LRFS), specific survival (SS) and overall survival (OS). Acute (< 180 days after APBI) and late toxicity were evaluated. Cosmetic results were clinically evaluated by the physician. RESULTS: Between January 2012 and August 2015, 48 women (51 lesions) were treated. Median age was 77.7 years (range: 65–92) with a median tumor size of 12 mm (range: 3–32). Five patients (pts) presented an axillary lymph node involvement (4 Nmic, 1 N1). Invasive ductal carcinoma was the most frequent histology type (86.3%). With a median follow–up of 40 months (range: 36–42), no local relapse occurred while 1 pt. developed axillary relapse (2.1%). The 3-y LRFS, SS and OS rates were 100%, 100% and 93.1% respectively. Forty-five acute events were remained. The most frequent acute toxicity was grade (G) 1 hyperpigmentation (26.7%), 3 pts. (6.3%) presented G3 acute toxicity (2 breast hematomas, 1 breast abscess). No ≥ G3 late toxicity was observed while 15 late toxicities occurred (G1: 13 events - 86.7%) mainly breast fibrosis). The rate of excellent cosmetic outcome was 76.4%. CONCLUSION: We reported promising and encouraging clinical outcome of a post-operative single fraction of MIB ABPI in the elderly. This approach leads to consider a sfAPBI as an attractive alternative to intra-operative radiation therapy while all the patients will be good candidates for APBI in regards to the post-operative pathological report. More mature results (number of patients and follow-up) are needed.