Table 4.
Absolute contraindications for the use of moderately hypofractionated post-operative radiation therapy schedules as reported by radiation oncologists
| Characteristics | HYPO | Other | OR (95% CI) | p-value | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N | % | N | % | |||
| Age | 139 | 95.2 | 20 | 76.9 | 2.62 (0.62–10.7) | 0.176 |
| Breast cancer stage | 142 | 97.3 | 23 | 88.5 | 4.63 (1.07–22) | 0.036 |
| Breast size | 139 | 95.2 | 25 | 96.1 | 0.79 (0.08–6.74) | 0.832 |
| Breast side (right or left) | 145 | 99.3 | 26 | 100 | 1.83 (0.07–46) | 0.672 |
| Breast cancer molecular subtype | 144 | 98.6 | 25 | 96.1 | 2.88 (0.25–33) | 0.374 |
| Tumor grade | 4 | 2.7 | 20 | 76.9 | 6.00 (0.90–44.6) | 0.05 |
| Surgical margins | 141 | 96.6 | 23 | 88.5 | 3.68 (0.82–16.8) | 0.07 |
| Dose to organs at risk | 117 | 80.1 | 19 | 73.1 | 1.49 (0.51–3.87) | 0.415 |
| Dose inhomogeneity | 121 | 82.9 | 22 | 84.6 | 0.88(0.27–2.79) | 0.827 |
| Use of high tangents | 144 | 98.6 | 26 | 100 | 1.09 (0.05–23.4) | 0.548 |
| Regional nodal irradiation | 136 | 93.1 | 22 | 84.6 | 2.47 (0.71–8.58) | 0.143 |
| Internal mammary node irradiation | 124 | 84.9 | 22 | 84.6 | 1.02 (0.32–3.26) | 0.967 |
| Flap-based breast reconstruction | 139 | 95.2 | 21 | 80.7 | 3.14 (1.07–11.3) | 0.04 |
| Implant-based breast reconstruction | 124 | 84.9 | 23 | 88 | 0.73 (0.20–2.66) | 0.638 |
| Financial issues/reimbursement | 143 | 97.9 | 25 | 96.1 | 1.91 (0.19–19) | 0.577 |
Note: The absolute numbers and percentages correspond to the total response obtained in each item. OR — odds ratio; CI — confidence interval