Postmastectomy hypofractionation radiotherapy in high-risk breast cancer patients: a phase I/II clinical trial

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and toxicity of postmastectomy hypofractionation radiotherapy in patients with high-risk breast cancer. Methods: Postmastectomy radiation of 43.5 Gy in 15 fractions of 2.9 Gy over 3 weeks was delivered to 38 patients with breast cancer. The incidence of acute radiation toxicity and locoregional recurrence was evaluated. Results: With a median follow up of 13 months, all patients were alive. No patient had locoregional recurrence within radiation field. Five (13%) had distant metastases. Five (13%) developed grade 3 radiation dermatitis at 2 to 3 weeks after' the course of radiation. Three (8%) had grade 2 radiation pneumonitis. Conclusions: Hypofractionation radiation of 43.5 Gy in 15 fractions of 2.9 Gy over 3 weeks is effective in the near time for patients with high-risk breast cancer after mastectomy, and the acute toxicities are tolerable. (authors)