Incidence of clinical lymphedema in breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant proton-based radiotherapy

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of clinical lymphedema following adjuvant proton-based radiotherapy (RT) in breast cancer (BC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of our institutional database to identify BC patients treated with adjuvant proton-based RT. Patients receiving re-irradiation for a BC recurrence or those with a history of ipsilateral chest wall radiation were excluded. Clinical lymphedema was determined by documentation in the chart at baseline and during follow-up. RESULTS: We identified 28 patients treated with adjuvant proton-based RT who met the study criteria. Median age at diagnosis was 45 (range, 24–75). Eleven patients (39%) underwent mastectomy, and fourteen (50%) underwent axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Median number of LNs removed was 6 (range, 1–28). Nineteen patients (68%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Median whole breast/chest wall dose delivered was 50 Gy (range, 44–54.0 Gy). Target volumes included the axillary and supraclavicular lymph nodes in all patients and internal mammary lymph nodes in 27 (96%) patients. Mean dose to the axilla was 49.7 Gy, and mean dose to 95% of the axillary volume (D95) was 46.3 Gy (94% of prescription dose). Mean dose to supraclavicular (SCV) volume was 47.7 Gy, and D95 was 44.1 Gy (91% of prescription dose). Grade 3 dermatitis occurred in 14% of patients. Five patients (18%) had clinical lymphedema, 4 from the ALND subset (n = 14). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of clinical lymphedema after proton-based RT is comparable to rates reported with photon-based RT with comprehensive nodal coverage.