Early Side Effects of Three-Dimensional Conformal External Beam Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation to a Total Dose of 40 Gy in One Week (A Phase II Trial)

Purpose: Several accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) techniques are described in the literature, and apparently, the three-dimensional (3D)-conformal technique is being used increasingly. Nonetheless, the optimal radiation dose is not yet known. Here, we report feasibility and early toxicities of APBI delivering 40 Gy over 5 days, in a phase II trial. Methods and Materials: From October 2007 to September 2008, 25 patients with pT1N0 cancer received 3D-conformal APBI. The prescribed radiation dose was 40 Gy in 4-Gy fractions given twice daily. This technique used two minitangents and an "en face" electron field. Toxicities were systematically assessed at 1, 2, and 6 months and then once every 6 months. Results: The planning tumor volume for evaluation (PTVEVAL) coverage was adequate: the mean dose to the PTVEVAL was 41.8 Gy (range, 41–42.4 Gy). Mean doses to the ipsilateral lung and heart were 1.6 Gy (range, 1.0–2.3 Gy) and 1.2 Gy (range, 1.0–1.6 Gy), respectively. One and two months after completion of APBI, most patients had no or mild erythema (n = 16 patients at 1 month; n = 25 patients at 2 months); none of these patients developed moist desquamation. After a median follow-up of 12 months, only 1 patient had a significant moderate field contracture (grade 2). Other reported late toxicities were grade 1. Conclusions: 3D-conformal APBI (with two minitangents and an "en face" electron field) using a total dose of 40 Gy in 10 fractions twice daily over 5 days achieved appropriate PTVEVAL coverage and offered significant sparing of normal tissue. Early tolerance was excellent.