Radiation dose to the low axilla in patients treated for early-stage breast cancer by locoregional intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)

PURPOSE

To determine the dose received by the low axilla during locoregional radiotherapy (RT) for early-stage breast cancer and to assess the impact of the treatment technique (three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) or rotational IMRT (VMAT) or helical tomotherapy (HT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The dosimetric study was performed on patients receiving normofractionated (NFRT - 50Gy in 25 fractions) or hypofractionated (HFRT - 40Gy in 15 fractions) locoregional radiotherapy (breast or chest wall and internal mammary, supraclavicular and infraclavicular nodes±axillary nodes) by 3D-CRT or VMAT or HT at the Institut Curie Paris. Patients treated by breast-conserving surgery received a boost dose of 16Gy and 10Gy to the tumour bed, respectively.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight patients treated by RT from February 2017 to January 2019 were studied. The mean dose received by the low axilla when it was not part of the target volume was 30.8Gy, 41.0Gy and 44.4Gy by 3D-CRT, VMAT and HT, respectively for NFRT and 24.2Gy, 33.0Gy and 34.9Gy, respectively, for HFRT. With NFRT, 4.1% of the axilla received 95% (V95) of the prescribed dose by 3D-CRT compared to 24.5% and 33.6% by VMAT and HT, respectively; with HFRT, V95 was 3.9%, 19.5% and 24.1%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The axilla receives a non-negligible dose during locoregional radiotherapy; this dose is greater when VMAT or HT are used. Prospective studies must be conducted to assess the impact of this axillary dose in terms of morbidity, which currently remains unknown.

Angiosarcoma associated with radiation therapy after treatment of breast cancer. Retrospective study on ten years

PURPOSE

The breast sarcoma induced by radiation therapy is rare but increasing, given the increased long-term survival of patients receiving radiation therapy. Fibrosarcoma, histiocytofibroma and angiosarcoma are the most common breast sarcoma. Angiosarcoma is the most common after breast cancer treated by radiation therapy, often diagnosed too late, with a severe prognosis and a high rate of recurrence. However, because of the low incidence of angiosarcoma associated with radiation therapy (AAR), the benefit of radiation therapy in breast cancer treatment outweighs the risk to develop angiosarcoma. The aim of this study is to evaluate these rare cases of AAR diagnosed in eastern Belgium in comparison to the data from the literature.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Nine cases of AAR after radiation for breast ductal carcinoma were included in this retrospective study. AAR was diagnosed according to Cahan criteria between January 2007 and December 2016. Latency, incidence, management and prognosis are comparable to the literature.

RESULTS, CONCLUSION

The median latency was 10 (4-24) years, the incidence of AAR in the East Belgian area was 0.09% of the patients irradiated on the same period. Patients were treated by surgery with wide local excision with or without reconstructive surgery, without radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed median overall survival of 61.8 months, patient survival of 55.6% at one year and 29.6% at five years. With the constant progress of medicine and its technologies, it would be possible to limit the occurrence of AAR or to diagnose it at an earlier stage.

[Immunotherapy and radiotherapy for management of breast cancer: Rational and overview on clinical practice]

The discovery of immunotherapy led to understand the major role of immune system during the tumor process. Conventional treatments, such as chemotherapy, are directly tumoricidal. New drugs are developed to target specifically the immune system to make it regain its ability to recognize and eliminate cancer cells. Radiotherapy is used for a long time for its local action, but its systemic role, based on its impact on immunity, is now better known. Breast cancer was wrongly considered poorly immunogenic and put aside the amazing progress in this new area of treatment. In this article, we would like to present the pre-clinical and clinical rationales to associate immunotherapy to radiotherapy in the management of breast cancer.

Protontherapy versus best photon for mediastinal Hodgkin lymphoma: Dosimetry comparison and treatment using ILROG guidelines

The purpose of this work was reducing treatment-related toxicity for Hodgkin lymphomas using practical procedure inspired by the ILROG guidelines. Reporting the first case of localized Hodgkin lymphoma treated with protontherapy in France. A 24-year-old female with mediastinal, bulky, localized, mixed-cellularity, classic Hodgkin lymphoma required an involved-site radiation therapy after complete response following polychemotherapy. Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy was not acceptable due to high doses to breasts, heart and lungs. We realized a four-dimensional computed tomography (CT) to evaluate target movements and another CT with gating and breath-hold technique. Delineation was performed on both CT using the initial fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography/CT. One dosimetric plan with rotational intensity-modulated radiation therapy with a helical Tomotherapy© was realized and compared to another one with conformational protontherapy. Ninety-five percent of the planning target volume was covered by 98 and 99% of the prescribed dose with protontherapy and helical Tomotherapy©. Protontherapy provided the best organ at risk protection. Lung and heart protections were better with protontherapy: lung mean dose (3.7Gy vs. 8.4Gy) and median dose (0.002Gy vs. 6.9Gy), heart mean dose (2.6Gy vs. 3.7Gy). Breast sparing was better for both breasts using protontherapy: right breast mean dose (2.4Gy vs. 4.4Gy) and left (1.9Gy vs. 4.6Gy). The biggest difference was seen with low doses, which were better with protontherapy: volume of lung receiving 5Gy was 17.5% vs. 54.2% with Helical Tomotherapy©. In view of these results, we decided to treat our patient with protontherapy using respiratory assessment. We delivered 30Gy (15 fractions) using protontherapy with one direct anterior field using pencil beam scanning and deep inspiration breath-hold technique. We observed only grade 1 skin erythema during treatment and no toxicity during early follow-up.

Radiotherapy in combination with nivolumab for relapsed/refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma: About two cases

Hodgkin lymphoma is a highly curable malignancy involving lymph nodes and the lymphatic system. Even at late stage disease, about 70% of patients will be cured with standard first line therapy. For patients who experience relapse or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma, the standard treatment option is high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell rescue or transplant. However about 50% of patients will have recurrence after high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell rescue or transplantation and have worse prognosis with median overall survival of 32% at 5 years. The anti-PD1 checkpoints inhibitors pembrolizumab and nivolumab have remarkably improved outcomes of patients with relapse of refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma after high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell rescue or transplantation. On the other hand, radiotherapy is an entire component of salvage therapy and its efficacy is now well established in term of local disease control in sites of relapsed or refractory Hodkin lymphoma. Defining the optimal modality and timing of radiotherapy as these new agents arrive is a challenge. An interesting approach is the combination of radiotherapy with checkpoint inhibitor and the possibility of stopping the treatment when complete response is achieved. We add to the literature two new cases of combination of radiotherapy with immunotherapy in patients who relapsed after high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell rescue or transplantation and consolidation with brentuximab vedotin, resulting in excellent outcomes.

Whole breast radiotherapy in the isocentric lateral decubitus position: Role of the immobilization device and table on clinical results

PURPOSE

To evaluate clinical results and the "effect bolus" based on the table design of different linear accelerators in patients with breast cancer treated by previously published whole breast irradiation in the isocentric lateral decubitus position.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We studied 248 consecutive female patients with early stage breast cancer treated by conservative surgery followed by three-dimensional conformal whole breast irradiation in the isocentric lateral decubitus position between January 2013 and February 2014. Radiotherapy was performed on linear accelerators using a Varian. The energy used was 4 and 10MV photons or 6MV photons. All patients were evaluated weekly by the radiation oncologist, acute toxicity was assessed using the NCICTC v 3.0 scale. Late toxicity and cosmetic results were evaluated 18 months after the radiotherapy. Cosmetic results were defined as excellent, good, middle or bad.

RESULTS

Among the 248 women included, the median age was 67 years (range: 35-91 years). All received whole breast radiotherapy with boost in 144 patients (58%). One-hundred-twenty patients received normofractionated and 124 patients hypofractionated whole breast radiotherapy. Median follow-up was 18 months. Acute skin toxicity in the whole breast radiotherapy in the isocentric lateral decubitus position was acceptable: there was 47% of grade 1 radiodermatitis, 50% of grade 2 and 3% grade 3 and no grade 4 for normofractionated radiotherapy; 89% of grade 1 dermatitis and 11% of grade 2 for hypofractionated radiotherapy; 89.7% of grade 0-1 dermatitis and 10.3% of grade 2 for the "flash" scheme and did not differ between the three linear accelerators (P=0.2, P=0.9 and P=0.2 respectively for the normofractionated radiotherapy, hypofractionated radiotherapy and the "flash"scheme). Late toxicity was acceptable with 84% of grade 0-1 fibrosis for normofractionated radiotherapy, 94% of patients for hypofractionated radiotherapy and 77% for "flash" scheme and did not differ between the three linear accelerators (P=0.44, P=1 and P=0.22 resp.). Most of patients (81%) had an excellent or a good cosmetic outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Whole breast radiotherapy in the isocentric lateral decubitus position is well tolerated. Clinical results are comparable based on different immobilization device allowed by linear accelerators. Particularly, there was no influence of the couch on skin tolerance and cosmetic results.

Abstract P3-12-20: The use of new delineation tool “MIRADA”, step-by-step development and first results of its use in early and locally advanced breast cancer patients

Objectives: To describe the practical procedure of implementation and optimization of delineation using “Mirada” software, as well as evaluation of the automatic segmentation for the daily practice of lymph nodes (LN) and OARs (organs at risk) in early as well as locally advanced stage breast cancer patients.

Methods: Forty patients' CT scans in treatment position were selected and re-contoured according to the ESTRO guidelines. The atlas of dataset was then created for automatic delineation. Thirty patients with breast/chest wall and lymph nodes regions irradiated were recruited for evaluation. With the same treatment position, the CT scan images were acquired and then contoured by the MIRADA system automatically as well as by the radiation oncologist manually (as the reference). The Conformity Index (CI) was used to evaluate the concordance between both of them.

Results: The mean time for manual contour was 24.1±5.1 mins and 26.4±2.8 mins for the LN and the OARs resp. All the volumes of interest were contoured using the software (including corrections) in 30 minutes, which reduced the time of delineation of target volumes and OAR by about 40%. Of the 30 cases evaluated, the mean CI of 5 principal OARs showed ≥ 0.8. While the automatic contour of LN was less satisfactory with mean CI of 0.43±0.1 (0.23-0.52).

Conclusions: For the breast cancer patients, the studied software permitted to save time for delineation with acceptable OAR contours. The improvement of LN regions contour is needed. More cases and further evaluation are needed for the system to realize its routine use.

Citation Format: Xu H, Arsene Henry A, Robillard M, Amessis M, Kirova YM. The use of new delineation tool “MIRADA”, step-by-step development and first results of its use in early and locally advanced breast cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-12-20.

Anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in combination with sequential involved-site radiotherapy in heavily pretreated refractory Hodgkin lymphoma

The purpose of this study was to assess efficacy and tolerance of anti-programmed death (PD)-1 immunotherapy in combination with sequential involved-site radiotherapy in heavily pretreated refractory Hodgkin lymphoma. In this case series, we reported the outcome of four heavily pretreated patients with refractory Hodgkin lymphoma treated by anti-PD-1 immunotherapy and involved site radiation therapy. After a median follow-up of 13-month, all patients were alive with complete metabolic response. After radiotherapy, all four patients experienced lung toxicity, which was resolved after antibiotherapy with or without corticosteroid treatment. Anti-PD-1 immunotherapy followed by involved-site radiotherapy is feasible and showed very encouraging results in heavily pretreated patients.

[Technical aspects and indications of extracranial stereotactic radiotherapy]

Extracranial stereotactic radiotherapy has developed considerably in recent years and is now an important part of the therapeutic alternatives to be offered to patients with cancer. It offers opportunities that have progressively led physicians to reconsider the therapeutic strategy, for example in the case of local recurrence in irradiated territory or oligometastatic disease. The literature on the subject is rich but, yet, there is no real consensus on therapeutic indications. This is largely due to the lack of prospective, randomized studies that have evaluated this technique with sufficient recoil. We propose a review of the literature on the technical aspects and indications of extracranial stereotactic radiotherapy.

Combined irradiation and targeted therapy or immune checkpoint blockade in brain metastases: toxicities and efficacy

Background

Targeted therapies (TT) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are currently modifying the landscape of metastatic cancer management and are increasingly used over the course of many cancers treatment. They allow long-term survival with controlled extra-cerebral disease, contributing to the increasing incidence of brain metastases (BMs). Radiation therapy remains the cornerstone of BMs treatment (either whole brain irradiation or stereotactic radiosurgery), and investigating the safety profile of radiation therapy combined with TT or ICI is of high interest. Discontinuing an efficient systemic therapy, when BMs irradiation is considered, might allow systemic disease progression and, on the other hand, the mechanisms of action of these two therapeutic modalities might lead to unexpected toxicities and/or greater efficacy, when combined.

Patients and methods

We carried out a systematic literature review focusing on the safety profile and the efficacy of BMs radiation therapy combined with targeted agents or ICI, emphasizing on the role (if any) of the sequence of combination scheme (drug given before, during, and/or after radiation therapy).

Results

Whereas no relevant toxicity has been noticed with most of these drugs, the concomitant use of some other drugs with brain irradiation requires caution.

Conclusion

Most of available studies appear to advocate for TT or ICI combination with radiation therapy, without altering the clinical safety profiles, allowing the maintenance of systemic treatments when stereotactic radiation therapy is considered. Cognitive functions, health-related quality of life and radiation necrosis risk remain to be assessed. The results of prospective studies are awaited in order to complete and validate the above discussed retrospective data.

Radiotherapy of relapse-refractory follicular lymphoma

PURPOSE

To assess the efficacy of treatment and outcomes of patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma treated with external beam irradiation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fifteen patients who received external beam radiotherapy for relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma were studied. The median age was 68.3 years (range: 37.9-87.08 years) with four men and 11 women. Seven patients had early stage (I or II); eight advanced stage (III or IV). Median FLIPI score was 2. Two patients had high tumour bulk disease. Six patients had extranodal invasion, with five patients having bone marrow invasion.

RESULTS

The median time of follow-up after relapse or first-line treatment in case of refractory disease was 61.9 months (range: 9.1-119.7 months). Complete response after external beam radiotherapy was seen in 11 cases (73%) and partial response in two (13%), with a median dose of 30Gy (range: 2-40Gy) and median number of fractions of 15 (range: 2-20). Eight patients (53%) relapsed after external beam radiation therapy in a median of 20.2 months, mostly out of irradiated volumes. Most patients (66%) had a disease control after one or two courses of external beam radiation therapy. At last follow-up, 86% of patients were in remission including those with salvage chemotherapy. The toxicity profile was favourable with toxicity higher than grade 1. In univariate analysis, a Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (FLIPI) score above 2 was the only predicting factor for non-control disease.

CONCLUSION

For relapsed and refractory follicular lymphoma, external beam radiotherapy should be considered as an effective modality when integrated in a multimodality approach. Randomised studies are warranted to validate this strategy.

Abstract P2-11-20: Tolerability and outcomes of radiation therapy for breast cancer in older women: A retrospective study in 817 patients

Background: Breast cancer (BC) management in older women requires an individual approach and is becoming increasingly topical given the aging population. Postoperative radiation therapy (RT) is a standard treatment of BC after breast-conserving-surgery in most patients but its relative benefit may be counteracted by potential side-effects, especially in elderly. The aim of this study was to assess acute and long-term radiation-induced toxicities and the impact of comorbidities on outcomes in the older women treated by RT for non-metastatic breast cancer.

Materials and Methods: Women aged ≥ 70 years at diagnosis, who received exclusive or postoperative RT for primary non-metastatic breast cancer, including carcinoma in situ, between 2003 and 2009 were retrieved from the Institut Curie registry. We calculated the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) for each patient and collected the cardiovascular risk factors other than age (hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking status). We analyzed overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS) and acute and late toxicities according to the CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) v3.0.

Results: A total of 817 patients was included in this study. Median age at diagnosis was 76.6 years [70 – 93.3]. Most patients had HR+ (hormone-receptor positive) HER2- breast cancer (83.9 %). 517 patients (62.7%) had at least one cardiovascular risk factor. With a median follow-up of 6.7 years [0.5 - 13], OS at 5 years was 86.3% CI95%[83.8 - 88.8], and PFS was 84.5% CI95%[81.9 – 87.1]. OS at 5 years was statistically different according to the Charlson index: 90.2% CI95%[87.2 – 93.3] for a CCI of 0, 84.6 % CI95%[80.5 – 88.8] for a CCI of 1, and 78% CI95%[70.5 – 86.2] for a CCI ≥ 2 (p < 0.001, log-rank test), respectively. Similar results were found for PFS (p < 0.001, log-rank test). 22.6% of patients had no toxicity; of those who experienced toxicity, most was limited to grade I or II. Only five cases (0.6%) of radiation – induced pneumonitis were reported after a median time of 16.4 months (grade I, n = 1; grade II, n = 2). One case (0.1%) of myocardial ischemia was described 14.5 months after RT. Women older than 80 years were less likely to have acute dermatitis (OR = 0.62; CI95%[0.45 - 0.85]), long-term breast pain (OR = 0.31; CI95%[0.14 - 0.62]), and long-term breast deformation (OR = 0.63; CI95%[0.42 - 0.93]) compared to patients younger than 80 years. There was no significant association found between other cardiovascular risk factors and toxicities.

Conclusion: Radiation therapy for breast cancer in the older women is well-tolerated. An extended follow-up is planned in order to assess toxicities at a longer time horizon. Further studies could be envisaged to assess the quality-of-life during and after RT for breast cancer in the older patient population.

Citation Format: Cao KI, Salviat F, Fourquet A, Falcou M-C, Laki F, Beuzeboc P, Savignoni A, Bazire L, Poortmans P, Kirova YM. Tolerability and outcomes of radiation therapy for breast cancer in older women: A retrospective study in 817 patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-11-20.

Abstract OT3-04-01: A phase I of olaparib with radiation therapy in patients with inflammatory, loco-regionally advanced or metastatic TNBC (triple negative breast cancer) or patient with operated TNBC with residual disease

Background and discussion: TNBC shares clinical and pathological features with hereditary BRCA1-related breast cancers, and in sporadic TNBC; dysregulation of BRCA1 has been frequently observed together with other defects in homologous recombination pathways. Preclinical studies have shown that breast cancer cell lines with a triple-negative phenotype are more sensitive to PARP1 inhibitors compared with non-TNBC cells. These lines of evidence provide a strong rationale for developing a new therapeutic approach to TNBC based on targeting the DNA-repair defects via PARP inhibition in these cancers that the most aggressive are the inflammatory, loco-regional advanced and metastatic breast cancer, as well as operated patients with residual disease (after primary systemic treatment-PST).

The aim of this study is to determine the Maximal Tolerated Dose of Olaparib administered with concurrent loco regional RT in the previously described population of patients.

Trial design: Olaparib (oral administration) will be administered at a starting dose of 50 mg bid. The other dose levels will be: 100 mg bid, 150 mg bid, 200 mg bid. The 25 mg bid dose will be included in the model to deal with unexpected high toxicity of the starting dose. Seven days prior to their first fraction of radiation therapy, patients will begin taking Olaparib at the assigned dose twice daily each day. All patients will receive radiotherapy on day 8 after the start of Olaparib of 50 Gy to the whole breast (or chest wall) with or withour lymph nodes (LN) in 25 daily fractions and 5 weeks.

Eligibility Criteria: Women aged >18 years with histologically confirmed TNBC with loco-regional RT indication as :

Non-operated:

Inflammatory and/or advanced BC (T≥3 and/or N≥1) BC in progression during PST (containing anthracyclines or taxanes or the combination of both or containing platinium-based chemotherapy) or inoperable after PST.

Non operable metastatic BC (all T, all N, M1; with evaluable disease).

Or patients operated after PST and surgery with residual disease (non-pCR and pN+ disease, evaluable according to RECIST 1.1 criteria).

Specific aims

To assess the safety profile of Olaparib administered with concurrent RT.

This study should be completed by a methylation study of BRCA1 and RAD51 promoters.

Statistics Phase I dose-finding based on toxicity will be conducted in a sequential and adaptive Bayesian scheme, using the method of Time-to-event Continual Reassessment Method to determine the Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD) of Olaparib associated with RT. The primary endpoint is Dose-Limiting Toxicity (DLT) occurring within 6 weeks after the end of RT (12 -13 weeks from the first drug intake, depending on the period of the radiotherapy treatment). Dose allocation will be centrally defined, based on DLT observed in all patients previously evaluated, by modeling the probability of DLT. An empiric model will be used for the dose-toxicity relationship. No intra-patient dose-escalation is permitted. No dose skipping in escalation is permitted. The MTD is defined as the dose associated with 25% of DLT.

Target accrual: Twenty-four to 30 pts are expected to be enrolled.

Contact: youlia.kirova@curie.fr

Citation Format: Kirova YM, Ezzalfani M, Rodrigues M, Pierga J-Y, Salomon A, Stern M-H, Laki F, Mosseri V, Berger F, Neffrati S, Armanet S, Fourquet A. A phase I of olaparib with radiation therapy in patients with inflammatory, loco-regionally advanced or metastatic TNBC (triple negative breast cancer) or patient with operated TNBC with residual disease [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr OT3-04-01.

Outcome of postmastectomy radiotherapy after primary systemic treatment in patients with clinical T1-2N1 breast cancer

PURPOSE

The role of postmastectomy radiotherapy following primary systemic treatment in patients with clinical T1-2N1 breast cancer remains a controversial issue. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the benefit of postmastectomy radiotherapy following primary systemic treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 2005 and 2012, in two independent institutions, female patients with T1-2N1 breast cancer receiving primary systemic treatment followed by mastectomy and lymph node dissection because bad response, then treated with or without chest wall and regional lymph node irradiation have been studied retrospectively. The patients received normofractionated radiotherapy using 3D conformal photons or electron techniques. Locoregional recurrence-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival and disease-free survival were calculated using Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate analysis of potential prognostic factors was performed using log-rank test.

RESULTS

Eighty-eight patients have been studied. Of them, 75 patients received postmastectomy radiotherapy. At surgery, 53 patients achieved ypN0. Median follow-up was 67 months. Postmastectomy radiotherapy significantly improved locoregional recurrence-free survival, with a 5-year rate of 96.9% versus 78.6% in the group that did not have postmastectomy radiotherapy. In the subgroup of 53 patients achieving ypN0, postmastectomy radiotherapy improved locoregional recurrence-free survival (a 5-year rate of 94.7% vs. 72.9%), distant metastasis-free survival (a 5-year rate of 92.8% vs. 75%) and disease-free survival (a 5-year rate of 92.9% vs. 62.5%). By univariate analysis, postmastectomy radiotherapy was the only significant prognostic factor affecting locoregional recurrence-free survival.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with clinical T1-2N1 disease, postmastectomy radiotherapy could significantly improve locoregional recurrence-free survival after primary systemic treatment and be even more therapeutic in the subgroup of patients with good response for primary systemic treatment by improving locoregional recurrence-free, distant metastasis-free and disease-free survival. Larger prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Preoperative breast radiation therapy: Indications and perspectives

Preoperative breast radiation therapy (RT) is not a new concept, but older studies failed to change practice. More recently, there has been interest in revisiting preoperative RT using modern techniques. This current perspective discusses the indications, summarises the published literature and then highlights current clinical trials, with particular attention to combining with novel drugs and optimising associated translational research.

Comparison of passive-beam proton therapy, helical tomotherapy and 3D conformal radiation therapy in Hodgkin's lymphoma female patients receiving involved-field or involved site radiation therapy

PURPOSE

Second cancers and cardiovascular toxicities are long term radiation toxicity in locally advanced Hodgkin's lymphomas. In this study, we evaluate the potential reduction of dose to normal tissue with helical tomotherapy and proton therapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma involved-field or involved-site irradiation compared to standard 3D conformal radiation therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fourteen female patients with supradiaphragmatic Hodgkin's lymphoma were treated at our institution with 3D conformal radiation therapy or helical tomotherapy to a dose of 30Gy in 15 fractions. A planning comparison was achieved including proton therapy with anterior/posterior passive scattered beams weighted 20Gy/10Gy.

RESULTS

Mean doses to breasts, lung tissue and heart with proton therapy were significantly lower compared to helical tomotherapy and to 3D conformal radiation therapy. Helical tomotherapy assured the best protection of lungs from doses above 15Gy with the V20Gy equal to 16.4%, compared to 19.7% for proton therapy (P=0.01) or 22.4% with 3D conformal radiation therapy (P<0.01). Volumes of lung receiving doses below 15Gy were significantly larger for helical tomotherapy than for proton therapy or 3D conformal radiation therapy, with respective lung doses V10Gy=37.2%, 24.6% and 27.4%. Also, in the domain of low doses, the volumes of breast that received more than 10Gy or more than 4Gy with helical tomotherapy were double the corresponding volumes for proton therapy, with V4Gy representing more than a third of one breast volume with helical tomotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Helical tomotherapy achieved a better protection to the lungs for doses above 15Gy than passive proton therapy or 3D conformal radiation therapy. However, dose distributions could generally be improved by using protons even with our current passive-beam technology, especially allowing less low dose spreading and better breast tissue sparing, which is an important factor to consider when treating Hodgkin's lymphomas in female patients. Prospective clinical study is needed to evaluate the tolerance and confirm these findings.

Radiation therapy (RT) after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) in 2015--The year of radiation therapy advances

Surgery associated with radiation therapy is the standard treatment for early breast cancer. This paper reviews the new evidence on local control and survival, the indications of lymph-node irradiation, and the long-term results of large prospective trials. New shorter fractionation schemes allow a reduction in the constraints of daily treatment courses over several weeks, and recent technical improvements in treatment delivery will improve cancer outcomes in terms of local control, decreased toxicity and long-term sequelae. Research should focus on identifying molecular markers for radiation sensitivity while designing specific, targeted modulators of the radiation response in early breast cancer.

Can c-myc amplification reliably discriminate postradiation from primary angiosarcoma of the breast?

PURPOSE

Breast angiosarcomas are rare vascular malignancies that arise secondary to irradiation or de novo as primary tumours. The aim of this study is to know whether c-myc amplification can reliably discriminate these two entities.

MATERIEL AND METHODS

Forty-seven patients treated for breast angiosarcomas were studied. Thirty-two patients were diagnosed with postradiation angiosarcomas after breast cancer treatment and 15 patients with primary angiosarcomas. Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed by hybridization of probes covering C-MYC (chromosome 8q24.21) and CEP8 on tissue sections.

RESULTS

Amplification (5- to 20-fold) of the c-myc oncogene was found in all breast radiation-induced angiosarcomas (32 tumours) but in none of the 15 primary angiosarcomas except one (7%).

CONCLUSION

This study reinforces that there are true pathogenetic differences between the two types of breast angiosarcomas which are morphologically indistinguishable. These data point the pathways preferentially involved in the pathogenesis of post radiation angiosarcomas of the breast and may provide the basis for an additional targeted therapy.

Late toxicities and outcomes of adjuvant radiotherapy combined with concurrent bevacizumab in patients with triple-negative non-metastatic breast cancer

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety of the concurrent combination of bevacizumab with adjuvant radiotherapy (B-RT) in breast cancer (BC).

METHODS

Multicentre, prospective study, of the toxicity of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) alone or B-RT in patients with non-metastatic BC enrolled in randomized Phase 3 BEATRICE trial. Early and late toxicities were assessed by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v. 3.0 during and 12 months after the completion of RT.

RESULTS

From 2007 to 2012, 39 females received adjuvant B-RT and 45 received adjuvant RT alone. Median follow-up was 21.5 months. All patients had triple-negative non-metastatic BC and received adjuvant chemotherapy followed by RT. 90% of the 39 females treated by concurrent B-RT received whole breast irradiation (WBI) with a boost and 4 (10%) received post-mastectomy RT. Lymph node RT was delivered in 49% of the females with internal mammary chain irradiation. The mean duration of bevacizumab was 11.7 months. 38 (84%) females treated by RT alone received WBI with a boost and 16% of the females received post-mastectomy RT. Lymph node RT was delivered in 47% of the females with internal mammary chain RT in 31%. Grade 3 acute dermatitis was observed in 9% of patients receiving B-RT and 5% of patients receiving RT alone with no significant difference. 1 year after the completion of RT, the most common late grade 1-2 toxicities in the B-RT group were pain (18%), fibrosis (8%) and telangiectasia (5%).

CONCLUSION

The concurrent bevacizumab with locoregional RT is associated with acceptable early and late 1-year toxicities in patients with BC.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

The largest series of this association.

Phase II randomized study of whole-brain radiation therapy with or without concurrent temozolomide for brain metastases from breast cancer

BACKGROUND

To improve the therapeutic index of whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) in the treatment of brain metastases (BM) from breast cancer, we investigated the efficacy and safety of WBRT combined with temozolomide (TMZ) in this population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This phase II multicenter prospective randomized study included patients with newly diagnosed intraparenchymal BMs from breast cancer, unsuitable for surgery or radiosurgery. All patients received conformal WBRT (3 Gy × 10-30 Gy), with or without concomitant TMZ administered at a dosage of 75 mg/m(2)/day during the irradiation period. The primary end point was objective response rate (ORR) 6 weeks after the end of treatment, defined as a partial or complete response on systematic brain MRI (modified WHO criteria). Secondary end points were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), neurologic symptoms, and tolerability.

RESULTS

Between February 2008 and November 2010, 100 patients were enrolled in the study (50 in the WBRT + TMZ arm, 50 in the WBRT arm). Median age was 55 years (29-79). Median follow-up was 9.4 months [1.0-68.1]. ORRs at 6 weeks were 36% in the WBRT arm and 30% in the WBRT + TMZ arm (NS). In the WBRT arm, median PFS was 7.4 months and median OS was 11.1 months. In the WBRT + TMZ arm, median PFS was 6.9 months and median OS was 9.4 months. Treatment was well tolerated in this arm: the most common ≥grade 2 acute toxicity was reversible lymphopenia.

CONCLUSION

WBRT combined with TMZ did not significantly improve local control and survival in patients with BMs from breast cancer. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV: NCT00875355.

Plastic surgery for breast conservation therapy: how to define the volume of the tumor bed for the boost?

PURPOSE

To describe the procedure of definition of the boost volume using pre- and post-operative computed tomography (CT) and surgical clips in the tumor bed after oncoplastic surgical procedure.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-one consecutive breast cancer patients who underwent simple lumpectomy or oncoplastic surgery were studied. All of them underwent pre- and post-operative CT scan in treatment position to evaluate the planning target volume (PTV) boost volume and define the primary tumor (gross tumor volume (GTV)) and tumor bed zones (CTV), with an overall margin of 5 mm in lateral and 10 mm in craniocaudal directions, corresponding to localization and setup uncertainties.

RESULTS

Thirteem patients underwent simple lumpectomy and 18 oncoplastic surgery. The volumetric analysis showed that the intersection between GTV and CTV clips was significantly higher in patients with three and more clips (28.4% vs 3.14%; p < 0.001). In the case of patients with oncoplastic surgery, more than three clips were needed to define the tumor bed volume with accuracy. The number of clips was directly related to the exact definition of the boost volume.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of more than three clips allows better definition of the PTV boost volume after oncoplastic surgical procedure.

Abstract P6-11-01: A randomized phase II clinical trial of whole-brain radiation therapy plus concomitant temozolomide in treatment of brain metastases from breast cancer: Six-month follow-up results

Background: Despite of therapeutics progress in advanced breast cancer, brain metastases occurrence remain a frequent and delicate situation. The efficacy of whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT), still considered as the standard local treatment in case of multiple brain metastases, is limited. Recently, several phase II studies have shown some efficacy of the association of WBRT and temozolomide (TMZ), an oral alkylating agent already known as a radiosensitizer, with improved brain control rate (44 to 96%). Patients with breast cancer were underrepresented and none of these trials have studied this combined treatment issue in this specific population. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of WBRT combined with temozolomide in the treatment of brain metastases from breast cancer.

Materials and Methods: A prospective randomized multicenter phase II study was developed, using a modified two-stage Fleming design. Patients with newly diagnosed intraparenchymal brain metastases from breast cancer, not suitable for surgery nor radiosurgery, were included. All patients received conformational WBRT (3 Gy x 10 to 30 Gy). They were randomized to WBRT plus concomitant TMZ administered 75 mg/m2/day during radiation period versus WBRT alone. The primary endpoint was radiologic objective response at six weeks after the end of treatment, defined as a partial or complete response on systematic brain MRI (WHO modified criteria). We also evaluated neurologic symptoms, tolerance, safety, progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) as secondary endpoints. A longer clinical-brain MRI follow-up was planned, each three months during a two-year period. All of the patients gave their written informed consent to be part of the study, which was approved by the local committee.

Results: One hundred patients were enrolled between February 2008 and December 2010 (50 in the WBRT + TMZ arm, 50 in the WBRT arm). The median age was 55 [29 -79]. Eighty (80) patients had brain metastases as single secondary localization. About one third of patients had a triple negative breast cancer subtype (38,3% in the association arm and 35,71% in the WBRT alone arm). There were 26,7% and 14,6% of HER2 positive subtype respectively. The median follow-up was 30 months [range 6-60]. At six months from brain metastases diagnosis (three months after the end of the treatment), objective response rate seems better in the WBRT + TMZ arm: 52% versus 40% in the arm WBRT alone but was not statistically significant (p = 0,54). No complete response was observed. In the WBRT + TMZ group, median PFS and OS at six-months were respectively 55,6% [range 46-7 – 66,0] and 67,7% [range 59,1 – 77,6]. No improvement in neurologic symptoms was noticed. In multivariate analysis, initial TNM status was significantly correlated with PFS and OS. The concurrent use of TMZ with WBRT was well-tolerated. The most frequent upper grade II acute toxicity was reversible leucopenia in the association arm.

Conclusion: The addition of temozolomide to WBRT in patients with brain metastases from breast cancer did not improve local control or survival at six months follow-up.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P6-11-01.

Visualisation of the left anterior descending coronary artery on CT images used for breast radiotherapy planning

OBJECTIVE

To assess the visualisation of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery on CT images used for breast radiation treatment planning.

METHODS

Delineation of the LAD artery was achieved for 25 breast patients by 1 radiologist and 1 radiation oncologist independently on two sets of images for each patient: one pre-operative CT scan using intravenous (IV) contrast media to determine the primary gross tumour volume (GTV) and one post-operative CT scan used for treatment planning. A Student's paired t-test was used to compare the number of CT slices in which the LAD was visible for each patient in the two series. Interpolations and extrapolations of the LAD volume were performed for the left-sided cases using a published heart atlas in order to report doses to the LAD structure.

RESULTS

There was a non-significant difference between the results with and without IV contrast media (p=0.34 for the radiologist; p=0.90 for the radiation oncologist). The visible LAD artery corresponded to a 30% portion (range 12-47%) of the interpolated structure. The maximum dose to the left artery varied widely, from 2.7 to 41.7 Gy, in the group of patients with left breast tumours. The largest values (>25 Gy) corresponded to those patients in whom the LAD artery distal extremity lay inside the breast fields.

CONCLUSIONS

With the current planning CT protocol, only one-third of the LAD artery could be objectively visualised. Contrast-enhanced imaging used for GTV delineation before the breast surgery did not improve the visualisation of the artery.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

This study has revealed the lack of consistency that may be encountered when contouring heart vessels, thereby questioning the reliability of dose reporting.

Abstract P4-13-14: Lung cancer after treatment of breast cancer:retrospective study from Curie Institut

Background: Few studies have evaluated the effects of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT)of breast cancer(BC). The relation between the risk of lung carcinoma and radiotherapy have been controversial.

Methods and materials: We retrospectively studied 127 patients treated at the Institut Curie with non metastatic breast cancer and lung carcinoma between 2000 and 2011(2/3 of BC apperead befor lung). Confirmation Diagnosis bronchial cancer obtained by: biopsy: histological data:architecture, IHC (HR, HER 2, TTF1), EGFR, Kras statut clinical and radiological Correlation. Comparison with breast tumor

Results: BC: median age at diagnosis 54 years, predominatly invasive ductual carcinoma(IDC), lumpectomy 78%, mastectomy 21%. Lung cancer: median age at diagnosis: 63 years, 67 smokers. histology: 52 % Adenocarcinoma, 18.1 % scamous cell carcinoma, 18.1% large cell carcinoma, 13.4 % small cell carcinoma. EGFR mutation in 4.3%. 109 patients underwent RT (3 cases of lung cancer befor BC):Region: internal mammary chain: 46, supracalvicular: 42, axillary: 21. Technique: lateral decubitus position: 44, dorsal decubitus position: 57. Interval between breast and lung cancer: 0–3 years: 24.4%, 3–5 years: 15%, 6–10years: 16.5%, 11–20 years: 28%, &gt;20 years: peak of incidence of lung cancer in the 3 years of diagnosis of breast cancer: 24.4 %. There was no apparent relation between treatment of BC and relative risk of developing lung carcinoma. 2nd peak between 11–20 years: 32 % patients, suggest that RT may increase risk of lung carcinoma (latency period for radiation induced second malignancy).

Conclusion: This study suggest that adjuvant RT is associated with a real but small risk of developing lung carcinoma.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-13-14.

Abstract P1-01-19: Prediction of axillary lymph node status in male breast carcinoma

Background: To evaluate whether predictive factors of axillary lymph node metastasis in female breast cancer (BC) are similar in male BC.

Patients and methods: From January 1994 to May 2011, we recorded 80 non-metastatic male BC treated at Institut Curie. We analysed the calibration and discrimination performance of two nomograms (Institut Curie (IC), Memorian Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC)) originally designed to predict axillary lymph node metastases in female BC.

Results: 55% and 24% of the tumours were pT1 and pT4 respectively. 46% demonstrated axillary lymph node metastasis. 99% were estrogen receptor positive and 94% HER2 negative. Lymph node status was the only significant prognostic factor of overall survival (p = 0.012). The area under curve (AUC) of IC and MSKCC nomograms were 0.66 (95%CI, 0.54–0.79) and 0.64 (95% CI, 0.52–0.76) respectively. The calibration of these two models was inadequate (Table 1).

Abstract P5-01-05: Could c-myc amplification replace Cahan's criterias to discriminate secondary from primary angiosarcoma of the breast?

Background: Angiosarcomas (AS) are a relatively rare histological subtype of sarcomas. Despite their rarity, AS display remarkable clinical heterogeneity. These tumors can occur in any location in the body, but the breast AS are important part of these tumours. Cahan et al. defined the criteria for the diagnosis of radiation induced sarcomas (RIS), used since 1948: i) prior history of RT; ii) asymptomatic latent period of several years; iii) the occurrence of a sarcoma within a previously irradiated field; iiii) histological confirmation of sarcomatous nature of the post-irradiation lesion.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to show a new biological data which can help us to recognize these rare tumors.

Material and Methods: Forty-one breast AS were studied (pathological review, clinical and follow-up information obtained), as well as the transcriptome signatures of the radiation tumorigenesis. For all RIS, the patients' radiotherapy plans and hospital records were reviewed and their radiation related nature was confirmed if they respected the classic Cahan's criteria. Interphase FISH was performed by hybridization of probes covering C-MYC (chromosome 8q24.21) and CEP8 on tissue sections from each of the forty-one tumors.

Results: Among forty-one breast AS, thirty one were secondary tumors and ten primary tumors. Amplification (5 to 20 fold) of the MYC oncogene was found in all breast secondary AS (31 cases) but in none of the 10 primary AS except one. The relationships between clinical, pathological and biological features are studied. These data point the pathways preferentially involved in the pathogenesis of secondary AS of the breast and may provide the basis for an additional targeted therapy.

Conclusion: The presence of c-myc amplification on biopsy or surgical specimen represents an important additional tool to discriminate secondary from primary angiosarcoma of the breast when radiotherapy data are not available.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-01-05.

Abstract P5-21-03: Concurrent loco-regional radiotherapy and trastuzumab in early-stage breast cancer: Long term results of prospective single-institution study

Purpose: To evaluate the early and late heart and skin toxicities, as well as the efficacy of concurrent adjuvant trastuzumab-radiotherapy (RT) for breast cancer (BC), with group with internal mammary chain (IMC) RT.

Material and methods: Prospective study of 308 patients (pts) treated between 2000 and 2009 by concurrent trastuzumab with normofractionated RT for non-metastatic BC. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was assessed by echocardiography or myocardial scintigraphy at baseline, before and after RT, every three months for one year, then annually. A LVEF strictly lower than 55%, was considered as altered. Trastuzumab was delivered every three weeks (8 mg/kg in the first infusion then 6 mg/kg) during a median time of 12 months (3–62). All toxicities were evaluated using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Effects version 3.0. Survival data were defined as the time from the histological diagnosis of BC until occurrence of the event. Loco-regional recurrence free- and alive pts were censored at the date of their last known contact. Survival and interval rates as well as their confidence interval (CI) were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results: Median age was 52 years (25–83). Median follow-up was 50 months (13–126). The clinical tumour staging was: T0 or T1 in 131 pts (43.4%), T2 in 122 pts (40.4%), T3 or T4 in 49 pts (16.2%). The regional lymph nodes were histologically involved in 132 pts (43.0%). The left breast was treated in 155 pts (50.3%). The IMC was irradiated in 227 pts (73.7%), among them 114 (37.0%) in the left side. Before trastuzumab, anthracycline-based regimens were administered in 280 pts (90.9%). The median dose of trastuzumab was 6145 mg (1845–29180). Acute skin toxicity was acceptable with 226 (74.1%) grade 1, 67 (22.0%) grade 2 and 12 (3.9%) grade 3 skin reactions. Esophagitis was observed in 31 pts (10.0%): 26 (8.4%) grade 1; 4 (1.3%) grade 2, and 1 (0.3%) grade 3. Out of 286 pts with assessments at the median time of 23 months, late telangiectasia grade 1 occurred in 14 pts (4.9%) and grade 2 in 10 pts (3.5%), local pain grade 1 in 39 pts (13.7%) and grade 2 in 8 pts (2.8%), fibrosis grade 1 in 53 pts (18.6%) and grade 2 in 20 pts (7.0%). At the completion of RT, 11 pts (3.6%), whose cardiologic assessment at baseline was normal, presented a clinically silent LVEF alteration. During follow-up, 44 patients experienced cardio-vascular morbidity revealed by: asymptomatic LVEF alteration (50.0%), thrombo-embolic event (18.2%), tachycardia (15.9%), ischemic cardiomyopathy (6.8%), pericarditis (4.5%), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (2.3%) or arterial hypertension (2.3%). The cumulative incidence of these events at 48 months was 13.3% CI95% [9.4; 17.2]. A symptomatic congestive heart failure was reported for 3 pts (1.0%). No death of cardiac origin was observed. At 48 months, loco-regional control was 95% CI95% [92; 98] and overall survival was 98% CI95% [96; 100].

Conclusions: In this prospective study of BC pts treated with trastuzumab and RT, both the rates of skin and esophageal toxicities were acceptable with excellent local control. Further follow-up is warranted to assess late cardiac toxicity.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-21-03.

[A case of cutaneous mammary re-irradiation]

In early-stage breast cancer, radiotherapy delivered after conservative surgery leads to a reduction in the risk of local recurrences by approximately two thirds. However, some local recurrences can occur in a previously irradiated region and be relevant for a second radiotherapy, exposing to an increased risk of adverse effects. We describe here the observation of a 66-year-old woman treated for a triple negative ductal infiltrative carcinoma of the left breast, who presented an early locoregional recurrence, notably as skin nodules, developed within the irradiated volume and progressing on chemotherapy. The patient was treated by re-irradiation performed concomitantly to oral chemotherapy by capecitabine.

Adjuvant radiotherapy in the management of axillary node negative invasive breast cancer: a qualitative systematic review

PURPOSE

To actualize and to detail guidelines used in technical radiotherapy and indications for innovative radiation technologies in early axillary node negative breast cancer (BC).

METHODS

Dosimetric and treatment planning studies, phase II and III trials, systematic reviews and retrospective studies were all searched (Medline(®) database). Their quality and clinical relevance were also checked against validated checklists. A level of evidence was associated for each result.

RESULTS

A total of 75 references were included. Adjuvant BC radiotherapy (50Gy/25 fractions/5 weeks followed by a tumor boost of 16Gy/8 fractions) is still the standard of care. Overall treatment time could be shortened for patients who present with low local relapse risk BC by using either hypofractionated whole breast irradiation; or accelerated partial breast irradiation. BC IMRT is not used in current practice.

CONCLUSION

Our group aimed to provide guidelines for technical and clinical applications of innovative BC radiation technologies.

[Breast conserving surgery in locoregional treatment of breast carcinoma after Hodgkin lymphoma]

PURPOSE

To report characteristics and outcome of breast cancer after irradiation for Hodgkin lymphoma with special focus on breast conservation surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Medical records of 72 women who developed either ductal carcinoma in situ or stage I-III invasive carcinoma of the breast after Hodgkin lymphoma between 1978 and 2009 were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

Median age at Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis was 23 years old. Median total dose received by the mediastinum was 40 Gy, mostly by a mantle field technique. Breast cancer occurred after a median time interval of 21 years. Ductal invasive carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ represented respectively 71% and 19% of the cases. Locoregional treatment for breast cancer consisted of mastectomy with or without radiotherapy in 39 patients and of lumpectomy with or without adjuvant radiotherapy in 32 patients. The isocentric lateral decubitus radiation technique was used in 17 patients after breast conserving surgery (57%). With a median follow-up of 7 years, 5-year overall survival rate and locoregional control rate were respectively 74.5% and 82% for invasive carcinoma and 100% and 92% for in situ carcinoma. Thirteen patients died of progressive breast cancer and contralateral breast cancer was diagnosed in ten patients (14%).

CONCLUSIONS

Breast conserving treatment can be an option for breast cancers that occur after Hodgkin lymphoma despite prior thoracic irradiation. It should consist of lumpectomy and adjuvant breast radiotherapy with use of adequate techniques, such as the lateral decubitus isocentric position.

[Radiotherapy for breast cancer and pacemaker]

PURPOSE

Patients with permanent cardiac pacemakers occasionally require radiotherapy. Therapeutic irradiation may cause pacemakers to malfunction due to the effects of ionizing radiation or electromagnetic interference. We studied the breast cancer patients who needed breast and/or chest wall and lymph node irradiation to assess the feasibility and tolerance in this population of patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From November 2008 to December 2009, more than 900 patients received radiotherapy for their breast cancer in our department using megavoltage linear accelerator (X 4-6 MV and electrons). Among them, seven patients were with permanent pacemaker. All patients have been treated to the breast and chest wall and/or lymph nodes. Total dose to breast and/or chest wall was 50 Gy/25 fractions and 46 Gy/23 fractions to lymph nodes. Patients who underwent conserving surgery followed by breast irradiation were boosted when indicated to tumour bed with 16 Gy/8 fractions. All patients were monitored everyday in presence of radiation oncologist to follow the function of their pacemaker. All pacemakers were controlled before and after radiotherapy by the patients' cardiologist.

RESULTS

Seven patients were referred in our department for postoperative breast cancer radiotherapy. Among them, only one patient was declined for radiotherapy and underwent mastectomy without radiotherapy. In four cases the pacemaker was repositioned before the beginning of radiotherapy. Six patients, aged between 48 and 84 years underwent irradiation for their breast cancer. Four patients were treated with conserving surgery followed by breast radiotherapy and two with mastectomy followed by chest wall and internal mammary chain, supra- and infra-clavicular lymph node irradiation. The dose to the pacemaker generator was kept below 2 Gy. There was no pacemaker dysfunction observed during the radiotherapy.

CONCLUSION

The multidisciplinary work with position change of the pacemaker before radiotherapy and everyday monitoring permitted the safe treatment of our patients. Updated guidelines are definitely needed with more details about acceptable doses at the different parts of the pacemaker.

Abstract P6-08-03: MYC Amplification and Overexpression Discriminate Secondary from Primary Angiosarcoma of the Breast

Background: Secondary angiosarcoma of the breast is defined as a sarcoma developed in the irradiated field in patients previously treated for breast carcinoma. These tumors represent 25% to 50% of sarcomas developed after irradiation for breast cancer and are of poor outcome. Up to now, there are no criteria to distinguish primary from secondary angiosarcomas. The aim of this work was to identify molecular features able to discriminate these two types of tumors.

Material and Methods: Our study was mainly based on the use of whole genome (SNP array) and whole transcriptome (mRNA and miRNA microarray) approaches. Others methods included quantitative PCR, reverse transcription quantitative PCR, fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry.

All patients’ records were reviewed and the clinical information about the primary and secondary sarcomas was recorded. For all radiation-induced sarcomas, the patients’ radiotherapy plans were reviewed and it was confirmed that the tumors respected the classic Cahan's criteria to confirm their secondary nature.

Results: Amplification (5 to 50 fold) of the MYC oncogene was found in all breast secondary angiosarcomas (19 cases) but in none of primary angiosarcomas (6 cases) (p-value = 2.353e-05). MYC amplification was associated with mRNA and protein overexpression of this gene. In tumors with a MYC amplification, numerous genes corresponding to MYC targets and coding for mRNA or miRNAs were found to be deregulated as compared with expression levels observed in tumors without amplifications. These data point to the pathways preferentially involved in the pathogenesis of secondary angiosarcomas of the breast. The relationships between clinical, pathological and biological features are studied.

Conclusions: MYC is amplified and overexpressed in secondary angiosarcomas of the breast. We suggest to exploit these characteristic features as a diagnostic criteria to distinguish primary from secondary angiosarcomas of the breast. Furthermore, those newly identified characteristics of secondary angiosarcomas could serve as a basis for tailored therapeutic approaches.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-08-03.

Simplified rules for everyday delineation of lymph node areas for breast cancer radiotherapy

The aim of this study was to present the simplified rules of delineation of lymph node (LN) volumes in breast irradiation. Practical rules of delineation of LN areas were developed in the Department of Radiation Oncology of the Institut Curie. These practical guidelines of delineation were based on different specific publications in the field of breast and LN anatomy. The principal characteristic of these rules is their clearly established relationship with anatomical structure, which is easy to find on CT slices. The simplified rules of delineation have been published in pocket format as the illustrated atlas "Help of delineation for breast cancer treatment". In this small pocket guide, delineation using the practical rules is illustrated, with examples from anatomical CT slices. It is shown that there is an improvement in delineation after the use of these simplified rules and the guide. In conclusion, this small guide is useful for improving everyday practice and decreasing the differences in target delineation for breast irradiation between institutions and observers.

[Preoperative concomitant radiochemotherapy in bulky carcinoma of the cervix: Institut Curie experience]

PURPOSE

To evaluate the treatment results of patients (pts) with Figo stage IB2, IIA, IIB cervical carcinoma (CC) treated with preoperative radiochemotherapy, followed by extended radical hysterectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective study of 148 women treated at the Institut Curie for operable Figo Stage IB2 to IIB, biopsy proved CC. Among them, 70 pts, median age 46 years, were treated using the same regimen associating primary radiocisplatinum based chemotherapy, intracavitary LDR brachytherapy, followed by extended radical hysterectomy. Kaplan-Meier estimates were used to draw survival curves. Comparisons of survival distribution were assessed by the log-rank test.

RESULTS

Complete histological local-regional response was obtained in 56% of the pts (n=39). Residual macroscopic or microscopic disease in the cervix was observed in 28 pts (40%). All but one had in situ microscopic residual CC. Lateral residual disease in the parametria was also present in nine pts, all with residual CC. Pelvic lymph nodes were free from microscopic disease in 56 pts (80%). Eight of 55 (11%) radiological N0 patients had microscopic nodal involvement, as compared to 6/15 (40%) radiological N1 (p=0.03). Seventeen pts (25%) had residual cervix disease but negative nodes. After median follow-up of 40 months (range, 8-141), 38/70 patients (54.1%) are still alive and free of disease, six (8.6%) alive with disease, and 11 (15.8%) patients were lost for follow-up but free of disease.

CONCLUSION

The treatment of locally advanced CC needs a new multidisciplinary diagnostic and treatment approach using new therapeutic arms to improve the survival and treatment tolerance among women presenting this disease.

[Locally advanced (neglected) breast cancer: the reality? Relevance of two cases and reflection how to optimise the multidisciplinary approach]

The standard treatment for breast cancer patients with untreated locally advanced breast cancer is neo-adjuvant chemotherapy or hormonal treatment. In some cases, this treatment is followed by surgery and/or radiotherapy when the multidisciplinary approach is present. In some cases of patients presenting metastatic diseases, the radiotherapy is forgotten or proposed late when the local disease is extremely advanced with symptoms and decreased quality of life. Two cases of extremely advanced non operable T4 stage breast cancer are reported and the importance of multidisciplinary approach is discussed. The place and the right time of radiotherapy in this multidisciplinary strategy is reported.

The use of computed tomography in radiotherapy treatment planning for breast cancer. How does conventional radiotherapy planning compare with virtual?

PURPOSE

To compare, in terms of ballistics and dosimetry, a conventional and a virtual simulation in 14 patients without changing the set-up.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

14 women with breast cancer were treated with postoperative radiotherapy from October 2003 to November 2004. Whole breast irradiation alone was indicated (50 Gy at International Committee on Radiation Units [ICRU] point in 25 fractions over 5 weeks) with, in some cases, an additional boost of 16 Gy to the tumor bed--that was not taken into account in this study. After CT scan, tangential fields were conventionally simulated using a Mecaserto Phebus-type simulator-CT scan. The planning target volume (PTV) was the clinical target volume (CTV) expanded with an additional margin of 1 cm in all directions but towards the skin. Both the lungs and the heart were delineated as organs at risk. Dosimetries were computed for the two beams arrangements i.e. 2D conventional and 3D virtual.

RESULTS

The mean age of 14 women was 51.4 years (range 26-65). Laterality was the left breast for 6 patients and the right for 8. Few differences were noticeable in terms of gantry angles. The 3D medial fields were more medial with a mean of 8 mm (range 0-15). The 3D lateral fields were more posterior with a mean difference of 8 mm (range 0-25). The dosimetry analysis showed that, with regard to conventional simulations, at least 95% of the CTV received in all cases > 95% of the prescribed dose. However, in 8 out of 14 patients (57%), 15% of the PTV received < 95% of the prescribed dose. The ICRU 50 quality criterion that at least 95% of the PTV (PTV(95%)) should receive at least 95% of the prescribed dose was never met with conventional simulation. In the case of virtual simulation, the ballistics of the treatment were designed to meet the ICRU quality criterion and thus the PTV95% was higher here than with the conventional simulation by a mean of 17.6% +/- 9.7%. The percentage of CTV receiving a dose higher than 107% of the prescribed dose was 21.3% +/- 12% with conventional and 24% +/- 11% with virtual simulation.

CONCLUSION

The high incidence of breast cancer, the essential role of radiotherapy in its treatment and the potential ensuing toxicity explain why so many studies are devoted to the improvements brought to the techniques of this treatment. The virtual planning of the treatment, however, comes up against many difficulties. The countering of the CTV is complex and necessitates a combination of clinical examination and imagery. The choice of margins around the CTV has not been standardised and is largely dependent both on the equipment used and the quality control methods.

Breast radiotherapy in women with pectus excavatum (funnel chest): is the lateral decubitus technique an answer? A dosimetric study

Breast radiotherapy is a technical challenge in women with pectus excavatum. We aim to assess isocentric lateral decubitus (ILD) technique as a means to irradiate breasts for patients with pectus excavatum. Four women presenting with left-sided breast cancers and found to have pectus excavatum were offered breast-conserving treatments. Post-operative breast radiotherapy was indicated (50 Gy) in two patients, with an additional boost to the tumour bed (16 Gy). Both ILD and supine techniques were simulated. We report the dosimetric comparison of these techniques and the acute skin toxicity of ILD radiotherapy. ILD permitted the same breast dose-homogeneity as the supine technique while decreasing breast thickness by 4.5-6.8 cm. The width of lung and/or heart receiving > 20 Gy ranged between 2.1 cm and 4.3 cm with the supine technique and between 0.5 cm and 1.1 cm with ILD. The estimated percentage of ipsilateral lung receiving > 20 Gy ranged from 21% to 34% with the supine technique and from 0% to 5% with ILD. Acute skin toxicity was scored 1 for all patients at completion of ILD radiotherapy. ILD is an effective breast radiotherapy technique for patients with pectus excavatum that preserves the underlying heart and lung from unnecessary toxicity.

Long-term results of neoadjuvant radiation therapy for breast cancer

Our aim was to determine the long-term outcome and the possible role of neoadjuvant (preoperative) radiation therapy for breast cancers unsuitable for primary conservative surgery. From 1977 to 1992, 75 unifocal non-inflammatory and non-metastatic T2 and T3 breast cancers were treated in our department. All these patients underwent initial radiotherapy, followed by secondary limited surgery. A population of 74 patients, aged from 32 to 82 years (median 56 years), presenting 49 T2 and 26 T3 tumors, was studied. Seventy-two patients (96%) underwent secondary tumorectomy and three patients (4%) reduction mammaplasty. The secondary tumorectomy was followed by a postoperative boost. There were nine recurrences, treated by mastectomy in eight cases and by tumorectomy in one case. Twenty-five patients showed secondary dissemination. Forty-seven patients are still alive and free of disease. The cosmetic results were considered excellent or satisfactory in 71 cases. Under good conditions, preoperative radiotherapy (as well as preoperative chemotherapy) allows the possibility of conservative surgery for cancers of more than 3 cm. The choice between the two modalities depends on the patient's condition and on a precise analysis of all prognostic factors that would justify the need for systemic treatment.

Radiation-induced bone sarcoma following total body irradiation: role of additional radiation on localized areas

A 44-year-old patient who had had acute monoblastic leukemia developed an osteosarcoma of the pelvic bones 5 years after an allogeneic bone marrow transplant from his HLA-identical sister. He had additionally received superficial cutaneous radiation of the legs and pelvis, over the 3 weeks prior to total body irradiation (TBI), because of cutaneous leukemic lesions. The tumor was a fibrohistiocytomatous osteogenic sarcoma. The first lesion was in the right ilium, and a second lesion appeared 18 months later, symmetrically on the left ilium. Despite treatment, the patient died from metastases. At the time of diagnosis of radiation-induced sarcoma, the patient was free of leukemia and had several risk factors already reported to favor the development of solid tumors in stem cell recipients. These include acute leukemia, TBI and graft-versus-host disease. As he developed symmetrical lesions of the pelvic bone, and because of the histology of the radiation-induced tumor, we assumed that the additional radiation of the skin prior to TBI may have contributed to the pathogenesis of this malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Therefore, the risk/benefit ratio should be carefully considered in unusual indications. These patients should benefit from a close follow-up of the superimposed areas.

Radiotherapy as palliative treatment for metastatic melanoma

This study aimed to assess the response rate and efficacy of palliative radiation therapy in patients with metastatic melanoma. From 1993 to 1999, 28 patients with 35 irradiated areas were treated with palliative radiotherapy for metastatic melanoma in the Radiotherapy Department of the Henri Mondor University Hospital, Créteil, France. Of these, 19 (68%) patients had bone and soft tissue metastases, seven (25%) patients had brain metastases and two (7%) patients had both types of metastases. Most of the patients were treated with 30 Gy of irradiation in 10 fractions over 2 weeks or 20 Gy in five fractions over 1.5 weeks. Of those with bone metastases, 67% responded to palliative bone treatment with good pain relief and/or decompression. Of the patients with brain metastases, 57% had amelioration of neurological function deficits, 29% did not respond, and one patient showed aggravation of his disease and did not finish the course of irradiation. Two patients with unresectable disease obtained partial remission and good palliation of symptoms. In conclusion, short-course radiotherapy has a role to play in the palliation of metastatic melanoma, with good relief of symptoms.

Stewart-Treves syndrome after treatment for breast cancer

This study reviews 3 cases of angiosarcoma of the upper extremity after mastectomy and radiotherapy for breast cancer (Stewart-Treves syndrome). Angiosarcoma was diagnosed an average 14 years (from 6.5 to 26 years) after treatment for breast cancer. Presenting signs included a red raised lesion, a palpable mass, a blister appearance (in one case). Two of our three patients underwent surgical treatment: one patient underwent local excision followed by chemotherapy, and the other patient wide excision, followed by external beam radiotherapy. Local recurrence occurred in one of these two patients and was followed by the development of lung metastases. The second patient who had treatment is free of disease without problems. The third patient refused any treatment and died 5 months later. The purpose of this article is to add to the literature 3 new cases of Stewart-Treves syndrome and to discuss some specific problems of this rare tumour.

Metastasis of a breast carcinoma in a mature teratoma of the ovary

Metastatic tumors in ovaries from breast carcinoma are well known. Breast carcinoma metastases in primary ovarian tumors are much more uncommon. The authors present a case of a primary breast carcinoma, with a lobular component (signet ring cells), which metastasized into a mature cystic teratoma of the ovary. The problem of differential diagnosis with other primary ovarian tumors or metastatic tumors and the problem of particular behavior of metastatic lobular components are discussed.

Radiotherapy in the management of cutaneous B-cell lymphoma. Our experience in 25 cases

PURPOSE

To report our results in the treatment with radiation therapy of 25 patients affected by B-cell lymphoma with initial cutaneous presentation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From October 1978 to June 1997, we have treated 25 patients with cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (CBCL) by cutaneous irradiation. There were 17 males and eight females, aged from 23 to 89 years (median age 50 years). The mean follow-up time for the series was 3.9 years (range from 0.2 to 15 years) from the completion of radiation therapy. All patients were staged as follows: in group 1, single lesion; group 2, multiple lesions; group 3, disseminated lesions. There were six (24%) patients in group 1, 15 (60%) patients in group 2, and four (16%) in group 3. There were nine patients with head and neck lesions, 11 patients with trunk lesions, and five patients with leg lesions. Thirteen patients (52%) had previously received chemotherapy for CBCL. Extended field irradiation was used to treat six patients (24%). Localized field irradiation (LFI) was performed for the other 19 patients (76%).

RESULTS

The overall survival rate at 5 years was 73%. The complete response (CR) to the treatment for our series was 92%. The length of complete remission ranged from 2 to 180 months. There were three patients (8%) who obtained partial response (PR). Disease-free survival (DFS) at 1 year was 91% and at 5 years was 75%. Radiotherapy was generally well tolerated.

CONCLUSIONS

Localized field irradiation is an effective treatment for some localized forms of primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma and can obtain prolonged remissions. The patients with wide-spread skin involvement are usually candidates for extended field irradiation and/or chemotherapy. For the advanced stages of cutaneous B-cell lymphoma, where the chemotherapy is the treatment of choice, some good palliation can be achieved using local field irradiation.

Radiotherapy in the management of mycosis fungoides: indications, results, prognosis. Twenty years experience

PURPOSE

To determine the role of total skin electron beam therapy (TSEBT) and the prognosis of patients with mycosis fungoides.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From 1978 to 1996, 66 consecutive patients with mycosis fungoides received 30 Gy TSEBT delivered in 12 fractions over 40 days as treatment of their relapsed after topical or/and systemic therapy. All patients were staged as follows: stage A, superficial lesions covering less than 50% of the body surface; stage B, superficial lesions covering more than 50% of the body surface; Stage C. tumors involving the skin, lymph nodes and/or visceral organs.

RESULTS

The median age was 50 years (ranging from 13-78 years). There were 39 males and 27 females. The minimum follow-up was 12 months (range 12-192 months). There were 24 (36%) stage A patients, 22 (33%) stage B patients, and 20 (30%) stage C patients. The overall survival at 5 years for our series was as follows: 93% for stage A; 79% for stage B, and 44% for stage C disease (P = 0.002). For the entire cohort, the complete remission rate was 65%, the progression-free survival (PFS) at 5 years and 10 years was 30 and 18% respectively. For the group A, PFS was 62% at 5 years and 46% at 10 years; for group B, PFS was 19% at 5 years.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that TSEBT gives good results for relapsed stage A disease. Total skin electron beam therapy combined with local fields irradiation or other local treatment (puvatherapy or topical nitrogen mustard) might further improve permanent complete response for stage B patients. The most advanced stages of mycosis fungoides are not controlled by TSEBT, but the radiation therapy offers good palliation results.