Long-term follow-up results of intensity-modulated radiotherapy with helicoïdal tomotherapy for non-metastatic breast cancers: Single centre experience.

PURPOSE

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy with helical Tomotherapy is a novel radiation therapy technique, which may be beneficial in several features compared to traditional methods. Our aim was to evaluate the local control, overall survival, progression free survival and adverse events in breast cancer patients treated with this new technique.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This is retrospective analysis of patients irradiated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy with helical Tomotherapy. Overall survival and progression free survival curves were plotted with Kaplan-Meier method. We also analysed the overall survival and progression-free survival data by molecular subgroups. Long-term toxicity including skin, cardiac and pulmonary complications were also evaluated. Multivariant logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the predictors of the side effects.

RESULTS

Between 2009-2015, 179 consecutive patients with 194 treated breasts were irradiated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy with helical Tomotherapy. The median follow-up were 65 months. The overall survival rate was 89.2% (95% confidence interval [95CI]: 83.5-95.4%), while disease-free survival rate was 85.4% (95CI: 80.2-91%). The Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive patients had the best 5-year overall survival data of 95% (95CI: 85.9-100%). Long-term skin toxicity was the most common, seen in a total of 20.7% of the patients.

CONCLUSION

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy with helical Tomotherapy could be safely used for adjuvant breast cancer irradiation in patients with complex anatomy and provides favourable long-term prognosis with acceptable late toxicity.