Cosmetic changes following surgery and accelerated partial breast irradiation using HDR interstitial brachytherapy : Evaluation by amultidisciplinary/multigender committee.

Abstract

Patients with early-stage breast cancer can benefit from adjuvant accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) following breast-conserving surgery (BCS). This work reports on cosmetic results following APBI using multicatheter high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy (HDR-IBT). Between 2006 and 2014, 114patients received adjuvant APBI using multicatheter HDR-IBT. For each patient, two photographs were analyzed: the first was taken after surgery (baseline image) and the second at the last follow-up visit. Cosmesis was assessed by amultigender multidisciplinary team using the Harvard Breast Cosmesis Scale. Dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters and the observed cosmetic results were investigated for potential correlations. The median follow-up period was 3.5years (range0.6-8.5years). The final cosmetic scores were 30% excellent, 52% good, 14.5% fair, and 3.5% poor. Comparing the baseline and follow-up photographs, 59.6% of patients had the same score, 36% had abetter final score, and 4.4% had aworse final score. Only lower target dose nonuniformity ratio (DNR) values (0.3 vs. 0.26; p= 0.009) were significantly associated with improved cosmetic outcome vs. same/worse cosmesis. APBI using multicatheter HDR-IBT adjuvant to BCS results in favorable final cosmesis. Deterioration in breast cosmesis occurs in less than 5% of patients. The final breast cosmetic outcome in patients treated with BCS and APBI using multicatheter HDR-IBT is influenced primarily by the cosmetic result of the surgery. Alower DNR value is significantly associated with a better cosmetic outcome.