Clinical and cosmetic results of breast boost radiotherapy in early breast cancer: A randomized study between electron and photon

Introduction: Breast-conserving surgery followed by radiation therapy (RT) to the intact breast is now clearly established as the most acceptable strategy for women with early-stage invasive breast cancer. Recommended techniques for radiotherapy is whole breast irradiation (WBI) followed by boost to the tumor bed. Aims: The aim of this study is to compare the modalities of three-dimensional conformal RT (3DCRT) and electron beam therapy as boost in post-lumpectomy patients of early stage breast cancer, following WBI. Materials and Methods: The study comprised of selecting 50 patients of early-stage post-lumpectomy breast cancer. Each patient was initially treated by WBI (40 Gy in 16 fractions) and then followed by tumor bed boost (16 Gy in 8 fractions) with either electron beam therapy or with photon (3DCRT), 25 patients in each arm. Patients were evaluated regularly for acute and chronic radiation toxicities, cosmesis, and pattern of failure. Dosimetric comparison of the plans was also done. Results: Median age of the patients was 42 years with 66% being premenopausal. Median duration of follow-up was 23 months. In arm A (electrons), two patients had grade III-IV reactions at treatment completion with one patient required RT interruption. Whereas, in arm B (3DCRT), five patients had grade III-IV reactions at treatment completion with three patients required RT interruption. At 6 months and 2 years follow-up, both the arms had almost similar skin, subcutaneous toxicity, and cosmetic score. At the end of 2 years, there were totally four failures among 50 patients, with one locoregional failure in both arms (4%). Dosimetric analysis revealed that conformality (radiation conformity index (RCI)), dose homogeneity index (DHI) and planning target volume (PTV) coverage was significantly better in 3DCRT boost plans. Organs at risk (OAR) dosimetry also revealed significant decrease in ipsilateral lung and heart doses with 3DCRT plans in which tangential or oblique fields were used; and whereas in electron beam, only single direct fields were used. Conclusions: Both electrons and 3DCRT can be used for boost planning to the tumor bed in post-lumpectomy patients. Though there was slightly increased acute skin toxicity with 3DCRT photon which led to interruption of therapy, overall cosmesis at 2 years is similar in both modalities. 3DCRT boost is a better option than electrons dosimetrically, considering the fact that conformality; PTV coverage and OAR dosimetry were superior with photons. Thus in centers where electron beam therapy is not available, 3DCRT photon can be used effectively for tumor bed boost

Thymoma: Clinical experience from a tertiary care institute from North India

Background: Thymomas are the most common tumors of the mediastinum. They have varied presentation ranging from asymptomatic incidental mediastinal masses to locally extensive tumor with compressive symptoms and distant metastases. The authors present our institute′s experience in combined modality management of thymomas. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 36 patients of thymoma treated in our institute from January 2004 to December 2010. Clinical characteristics and treatment modality in form of surgery, radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy (CCT) were noted. Statistical analysis was done with regard to progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Results: A total of 17 patients had associated Myasthenia gravis and 3 patients had associated Cushing syndrome. Masaoka Stage 4a was the most common stage (13 patients) followed by stage 3 (10 patients), stage 2 (9 patients) and stage 1 (4 patients). Twenty seven patients underwent primary surgery, out of which 20 received adjuvant RT and five received both RT and CCT. Of nine non-surgical cases, four received only palliative RT whereas 5 received systemic CCT followed by local mediastinal RT. Overall, 23 patients had complete response while 13 had partial response. 1 patient had local recurrence. Three year PFS was 60% and 3 year OS was 83%. Conclusions: Most common presentation in our series was locally advanced tumors. Most of these patients require adjuvant mediastinal radiation, which helps in significant loco-regional control. Systemic CCT benefits in inoperable, advanced and high-risk tumors. Risk-adapted and multimodality approach is the need of the hour to achieve good control rates while minimizing treatment related toxicity