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Journal of Contemporary Brachytherapy logoLink to Journal of Contemporary Brachytherapy
. 2009 Jul 17;1(2):77–86.

Cosmetic effect in patients with early breast cancer treated with breast conserving therapy (BCT) and with HDR brachytherapy (HDR-BT) “boost”

Anna Kulik 1,✉, Jarosław Łyczek 1, Maria Kawczyn´ska 2, Ewelina Gruszczyn´ska 2
PMCID: PMC5075992  PMID: 27795716

Abstract

Purpose

The estimation of cosmetic effect in 93 patients with early breast cancer treated with breast conserving surgery (BCS) followed by combined radiotherapy, including HDR brachytherapy (HDR-BT) boost.

Material and methods

After BCS (tumorectomy or quadrantectomy) external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) was used in total dose of 50 Gy for the whole breast. Tumor bed was localized basing on clinical and mammographic preoperative examinations and histopathology evaluation. 10 Gy in one fraction was applied to all patients using HDR-BT. Steel interstitial needles stabilized by plastic templates were used. 192-Ir with 10 Ci nominal activity and HDR-GammaMed 12i unit (Mick Radio-Nuclear Instruments, Inc., Mt. Vernon, NY) and ABACUS software were used. 31 patients received additional chemotherapy. Cosmetic effect was evaluated in 36 month after the end of brachytherapy treatment basing on modified EORTC scale. For statistical analysis the rang of correlation test, contingent test, linear regression test and ProbRough rulet induction test were used.

Results and Conclusions

HDR-BT tolerance was good in most of the cases. Excellent and very good cosmetic effect was observed in 79 patients (85%). Statistically important correlations between following examined prognostic factors and cosmetics outcome were observed: clinical and mammographic tumor estimation, method of breast conserving surgery, type of skin incision, number of interstitial applicators, irradiated reference volume (PTV) and type of optimization method. No correlations with cosmetics effect were found in factors such as: age of patients, location of tumor or additional therapy.

Keywords: breast cancer, BCS, HDR, cosmetic effect

Purpose

Breast cancer is one of the most frequent women malignant neoplasm in Poland. According to Tumor National Registry in 2006 there were 13322 new cases recorded as well as 5212 deaths resulted from a breast cancer. Systematic growth of mortality caused by malignant breast cancer is observed, especially in a group of patients between 60-65 years [1, 2]. Recently, the percentage of early diagnosed breast cancer patients is rising which permits radical treatment without organ removal. The amount of cured patients with good cosmetic effect is growing [2–23]. Complex psychological problems related to danger of possible loss of life due to cancer, fear of aggressive treatment and permanent disability as a result of breast amputation are the subject of numerous analyzes [24–27]. The introduction of BCS in early stage of cancer to clinical practice is compared to results acquired from more radical treatments. The better “picture of own self” and patients sexual functioning after BCS was exposed in a series of investigations and – in spite of early apprehensions – lesser concern of illness relapse, comparing with patients after mastectomy. In Fallowfields, Lasry’s, Schaines and Weitzner’s papers, breast conserving therapy with breast preservation benefits in better picture of “own self”, patients well-being and significant increase of control over own life [24, 26–28]. The consequence of combine treatment dissemination was limitation of various surgical treatments and introducing to clinical practice bcs with tumor, healthy tissues margin and axillary lymph nodes removal (separate incision) [2–11, 13, 17, 19–21, 28–36].

For decades, the value of post-surgery irradiation was the subject of numerous clinical researches. With the progression of new techniques and precision of irradiation, the percentage of its complication is significantly decreasing and – at the same time – the possibility of total experience with prevention of locoregional recurrences is rising [6–9, 13, 29, 37–45]. Additional irradiation of the site of tumor removal (boost) with the use of external beam radiation is applied in the majority of oncologic centers. The purposefulness of boost in cases of negative surgery margin was discussed. Authors compatibility for the necessity of local dose increasing, concerns the cases with doubtful surgical margin, especially with present intraductal component or high degree of histopathologic malignancy [45–48].

Brachytherapy was used as a method of the local dose increase (boost) in combine conservative treatment, as an independent way of treatment and as an emergency proceedings in treatment of local recurrences after initial tumor removal, followed by supplemented radiotherapy [37, 49]. Interstitial brachytherapy allows high dose ionizing irradiation within the tissue area, which results in limitation of post radiation injuries. The turning point in extensive application of interstitial irradiation brought dissemination of the after-loading technique and High Dose Rate (HDR above 12 Gy/hour). In Poland, breast conserving therapy (BCT) was introduced to clinical practice in 1981 in Oncologic Surgery Clinic in Lodz. The work of Prof. Jan Berner and his associates encouraged specialists from other oncologic centres in the country to employ BCT on a larger scale [10, 12, 40, 50, 51]. Since 1985, BCT was used in Warsaw Oncologic Centre. Qualification and treatment protocol was elaborated on the base of results of scientific researches of Dongen, Fisher and Veronesi [2, 9, 21, 31]. Since March 1996 the Brachytherapy Department of Cancer Centre – Institute in Warsaw provides the procedure of local increase of ionizing irradiation (boost) on tumorectomy site with the use of interstitial HDR-BT.

Aim

The estimation of cosmetic effect in 93 patients with early breast cancer treated with breast conserving therapy (BCT), followed by combined radiotherapy including HDR-BT as a boost.

Material

Since the first of March 1996 till 31th December 1999 in Brachytherapy Department of Cancer Centre – Institute in Warsaw, 98 patients with locally non-advanced breast cancer received HDR-BT in order to increase iodizing irradiation dose (according to conserving therapy procedures). During the time of observation, within the primary group of 98 patients, 1 death of non-oncologic cause occurred and 1 case of dissemination of cancer with local recurrence was noted in 26th month from the end of the treatment, which makes 98% of entire surviving and 99% of local control. One patient was not involved in the observation, two patients did not participate in control tests in Oncology Centre. The cosmetic outcome was established for 93 patients and this group was analyzed only. The age of patients ranged 30-74 years with the average age of 50.8. Mean dimension of clinical and mammographic tumor estimation was 13.1 mm and 14.3 mm, respectively. Morphologic composition of surgery material is shown in Table 1.

Table 1.

Histopathology

N %
Carcinoma ductale invasivum 57 59
Carcinoma lobulare ¡nvasivum 12 12
Others 29 29
Node negative 74 76
Node positive 24 24
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Methods of treatment

Surgery

BCT consisted of tumorectomy (excision of tumor with 1-2 cm margin) – 92 patients (94%) and quadrantectomy – 6 patients (6%). In analyzed material, two types of surgical incision – arched and radial were applied. Arched skin incision corresponds to so called Langer lines, located concentrically around the nipple areola. In lower parts of breast radial skin incision was perform because of better cosmetics effect. After obtaining histopathology diagnosis, in 15 cases (15%) the procedure was extended to another surgery (quadrantecomy).

Radiotherapy

External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)

Irradiation was performed using Co-60 unit or linear accelerator (4-6 MV). Whole breast was irradiated with 50 Gy of the total dose with the use of isocentric technique with two opposite tangential fields. Reference point was located in the centre of both beam axis. Two fractionation schemas were used: 1 – whole breast irradiation, with pN0 and in case of less or equal 3 of lymphatic node metastases found in histopathology diagnosis; 2 – irradiation of whole breast with locoregional lymph node system (in case of more than 3 lymph nodes metastases found). Two fractionation schemas were used: conventional (fraction dose of 2 Gy) and hyperfractionation (fraction dose of 2.5 Gy).

Brachytherapy

Patients with healthy tissue margin and 1 cm skin distance in microscopic analysis were qualified for treatment of locoregional dose increase (boost) with interstitial HDR-BT. The location of postsurgery site of the organ was an additional condition in technical installation of applicators. Steel interstitial applicators with 2.6 mm diameter (steel needles trocar tip) were placed in postsurgery tumor bed with a position defined on the base of primary lesion location in microscopic analysis of presurgery mammographic examination and introductory clinical inquiry. Applicators were placed in an arrangement of nonflexible plastic templates at 1 cm distance. It allowed to obtain homogeneous irradiation dose in appropriate breast tissues volume. The treatment plan was prepared on the base of Planning System Abacus 1.6. In the first period following the introduction of this method to clinical practice, reference points of dose calculation were defined at 1 cm distance from applicators surface with isodose optimization layout automatically transformed from a computer system. Such way of dose calculation was applied in 21 patients (21.4%). After the initial evaluation of local effects and early postradiation reaction, the location of reference points was changed to 0.5 cm from applicators surface, with number of applicators increased in order to maintain the same tissue margin (1-2 cm) around tumor removed site. The introduction of additional manual way of optimization permitted the elimination of dose increased areas, resulting from automatic standing time elongation in border location of an implant. Manual way of dose optimization was used in 77 patients (79%) with 10 Gy dose application. Irradiation was performed with the use of HDR Gammamed 12i (Isotopen-Technik Dr Sauerwein GMBH, Germany) with Ir-192 source and 10 Ci nominal activity. Radiotherapy data is presented in Table 2.

Table 2.

Radiotherapy description

Factor Treated patients Analyzed patients
Number of patients 98 93
EBRT (conventional) 74 (75.5%) 71 (76%)
EBRT (hyperfractionation) 24 (24.5%) 22 (24%)
BT (manual optimalization) 77 (78.6%) 74 (79.5%)
BT (automatic optimalization) 21 (21.4%) 19 (20.5%)
Maximal number of applicators 17 17
Median number of applicators 9 9
Minimal number of applicators 3 3
Maximal reference volume (ml) 56 56
Median reference volume (ml) 32.3 30
Minimal reference volume (ml) 10 10
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EBRT – external beam radiation therapy, BT – brachytherapy

Systemic treatment

After final histopathology diagnosis it was decided whether to include supplementary systemic treatment. In case of presence of metastases in axillary lymph nodes, radiotherapy was additionally combined with chemo-therapy (CHTCH). 31 patients received CHTCH (31.6% of all patients).

Methods

Retrospective analysis was carried out in a group of 93 women with breast cancer treated by BCT followed by HDR-BT boost in Brachytherapy Department, Cancer Centre – Institute, Warsaw. The estimation of cosmetic outcome was evaluated on the base of modified EORTC scale which criteria are presented in Table 3. During a control visit, patients themselves completed a subjective evaluation using the same scale. Evaluation was done by surgeon and radiotherapist after 36 months from the end of brachytherapy. Median time of observation was 55.4 months (ranged from 36 to 80).

Table 3.

Estimation of cosmetic effect – criteria, modified EORTC score, used in Brachytherapy Department, Cancer Centre – Institute, Warsaw

Excellent and very good cosmetic effect (9-10 points) No differences between both breasts
Good cosmetic effect (7-8 points) Small grade breast asymmetry, depigmentation in applicators insertion places, little retraction of scar
Sufficient cosmetic effect (5-6 points) Substantial breast asymmetry, scar deformation, intensive teleangiectasis in applicators insertion places
Bad cosmetic effect (< 4 points) Large breast asymmetry – deformation of treated breast, skin necrosis
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Correlation between cosmetics effect and chosen clinical and therapeutic parameters was investigated. Analyzed group of patients was divided into two subgroups: first group with excellent and very good cosmetic effect (10-7 points, what correspondents to the first and second group of EORTC scale) and second group with sufficient and bad cosmetic result (6 points and below) (Table 3).

Statistical analysis

For analysis of the results, statistical methods were used such as:

  1. Analysis of grade correlation (Spearman Test) in order to investigate the dependence of parameters such as: age, number of interstitial applicators used in brachytherapy, reference volume of irradiated tissues (boost), clinical and mammographic tumor estimation. Specific coefficients were established such as: correlation aspect (R – if the value of this coefficient is close to zero – no statistical relevance of the tested pair of features) and p value with statistical relevance of the dependence of analyzing features.

  2. Analysis of linear regression to describe and graphically presenting the dependence tendency of cosmetic effect including factors such as: age, amount of applicators, reference volume and clinical and mammographic tumor estimation.

  3. Analysis of contingency in order to define the correlation of pairs qualitative traits such as: cosmetic outcome and type of treatment, method of dose optimization and application of chemotherapy. χ2 independence test was used. The force of this correlation was define with the use of Pearson (CC) contingency coefficient. The stronger dependency, the more the value of indicator is closer to a unit. Results of hypothesis testing about the independence of a pair of traits is reflected in so called p value. The p value ≤ 0.05 stands for statistically significant correlation. Values > 0.05 indicate no statis-tical relevance.

  4. Rule induction system ProbRough is used to analyze the possibilities of cosmetic outcome prediction after 36 months on the base of analyzing clinical and therapeutic factors – description of directorial rules [55, 63].

Calculations was completed with the use of Med-Calc, 4.16g version, licensed for HollyCross Cancer Centre in Kielce, Poland.

Results

Overall, the immediate tolerance of brachytherapy was good. The plan of treatment was executed in all 98 patients. No early complications like hematoma or skin damage were observed. Within the first year of the end of treatment the evaluation of cosmetic outcome for all treated patients was performed. During this period of time, no significant influence of interstitial HDR-BT on deterioration of local effects was noted. The final estimation of cosmetic results was conducted after 36 months of the end of the treatment. Besides doctors evaluation, patients were ask for an opinion about cosmetic outcome using criteria of evaluation and 10 point scale. Results are presented in Tables 4–10. In the opinion of medical team, at least good effect was achieved in 79 patients, which stands for 85% of cases in analyzed group. In the opinion of patients the percentage was 82% (76 cases). Correlation between achieved cosmetic outcomes and analyzed clinical and therapeutic parameters presented in Tables 4 and 5 are related to the opinion of medical team and patients.

Table 4.

Estimation of cosmetic effect – done by physicians

Cosmetic effect Number of patients %
10 points 6 6.5
9 points 32 34.4
8 points 33 35.5
7 points 8 8.6
6 points 9 9.7
5 points 2 2.2
4 points 3 3.2
Excellent and very good cosmetic effect (9-10 points) 38 40.9
Good cosmetic effect (7-8 points) 41 44.1
Sufficient cosmetic effect (5-6 points) 11 11.8
Bad cosmetic effect (≤ 4 points) 3 3.2
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Table 10.

Estimation of cosmetic effect – correlation with chemotherapy in combined treatment

Chemotherapy 10 points score Total
1-6 pts. 7-10 pts.
(-) 8 (12%) 57 (88%) 65
(+) 6 (21%) 22 (79%) 28
Total 14 79 93
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Table 5.

Estimation of cosmetic effect – done by patients

Cosmetic effect Number of patients %
10 points 32 34.4
9 points 18 19.3
8 points 21 22.6
7 points 5 5.4
6 points 10 10.8
5 points 7 7.5
Excellent and very good cosmetic effect (9-10 points) 50 53.8
Good cosmetic effect (7-8 points) 26 28
Sufficient cosmetic effect (5-6 points) 17 18.2
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Correlation between cosmetic effect and the age of patients

The correlation between cosmetic effect and the age of patients was analyzed with the use of Spearman Test, and in case of graphic interpretation – analysis of linear regression (Fig. 1). No statistically significant correlation was found between cosmetic result and the age of a patients. The correlation ratio R = 0.0973, coefficient p-value: p = 0.3536.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

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Correlation between cosmetic effect and age

Correlation between cosmetic result and clinical dimension of cancerous lesion

There was statistically significant correlation between cosmetic outcome and clinical dimension of cancerous lesion, confirmed in pretreatment clinical examination. Correlation coefficient: R = –0.2221, p = 0.0324. The dependency show inversely proportional tendency: the larger tumor clinical dimension, the worse cosmetic result estimated according to modified EORTC scale.

Correlation between cosmetic effect and mammographic dimension of tumor before the treatment

There was statistically significant correlation between cosmetic outcome and mammographic dimension of tumor before treatment. Coefficient R = –0.3333, p = 0.0012. The dependency show inversely proportional tendency: the larger mammographic dimension of tumor, the poorer cosmetic outcome. Graphic presentation of this dependency is presented in Fig. 2. On the x-axis the clinical dimension is presented in millimeters, on y-axis – cosmetic outcome in 10-point scale.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 2

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Correlation between cosmetic effect and tumor size – mammographic

Correlation between cosmetic effect and original location of the lesion (central localization in internal and external quadrant)

The configuration of evaluation of cosmetic effect in correlation of original location of the lesion is presented in Table 6. Patients were divided into two groups: 10-7 points (excellent, very good and good cosmetic outcome) and second group – 6 and below 6 points (satisfactory or bad cosmetic result). No statistically significant (p = 0.5746) influence of location of the tumor on cosmetic result was noted.

Table 6.

Estimation of cosmetic effect – tumor location

Location 10 points score Total
1-6 pts. 7-10 pts.
Central location 1 (25%) 3 (75%) 4
Internal quadrants location 4 (21%) 15 (79%) 19
External quadrants location 9 (13%) 61 (87%) 70
Total 14 (15%) 79 (85%) 93
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Correlation between cosmetic effect and the type of surgical incision in the primary stage of conserving treatment

There was significant correlation between the type of surgical incision and cosmetic outcome. Paerson CC coefficient of contingency was determined with the assistance of contingency analysis used in correlation research within pairs of quality traits. In this case CC = –0.3087 and p = 0.0029. For arched incision the cosmetic result was excellent, very good or good (10-7 points) in 67 cases (90% of patients). For radial incision the cosmetic outcome was excellent, very good or good in 12 patients (63%). Data of increased clinical parameter is presented in Table 7.

Table 7.

Estimation of cosmetic effect – type of skin cutting

Type of skin cutting 10 points score Total
1-6 pts. 7-10 pts.
Arched 7 (10%) 50% 67 (90%) 85% 74
Radial 7 (37%) 50% 12 (63%) 15% 19
Total 14 79 93
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Correlation between cosmetic effect and the type of surgery

There was significant (CC = 0.4329, p < 0.0001) correlation between cosmetic result and type of surgery. In case of quadrantectomy the cosmetic outcome was satisfactory or bad in 80% of patients (1-6 points), whereas in case of tumorectomy the cosmetic result was excellent, very good or good even in 89% of patients (7-10 points) (Table 8).

Table 8.

Estimation of cosmetic effect – method of breast conserving surgery

Method 10 points score Total
1-6 pts. 7-10 pts.
Quadrantectomy 4 (80%) 29% 1 (20%) 1% 5
Tumorectomy 10 (11%) 71% 78 (89%) 99% 88
Total 14 79 93
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Correlation between cosmetic effect and the number of interstitial applicators

There was statistically significant (R = –0.2727, p = 0.0082) correlation between cosmetic result and the number of interstitial applicators. The bigger number of applicators the worse cosmetic outcome. Graphic interpretation of this correlation is presented in linear regression analysis (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3.

Fig. 3

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Correlation between cosmetic effect and number of interstitial applicators

Correlation between cosmetic effect and the reference volume (cm3) of breast tissues during procedure of local increase of dose radiation

There was significant correlation (correlation coefficient R = –0.3726, p = 0.0002) between cosmetic result and the reference volume (cm3). In conjunction with the growth of reference volume, the local effect was poorer (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4.

Fig. 4

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Correlation between cosmetic effect and reference volume (ml)

Correlation between cosmetic effect and the method of disintegration of dose optimization

There was significant correlation between cosmetic result and the method of disintegration of dose optimization. Coefficient CC = 0.3872, p = 0.0001. In case of automatic system of optimization, the percentage with sufficient or bad (1-6 points) cosmetic outcome and excellent, very good or good cosmetic effect is similar and comes to: 9 patients (43%) and 12 cases (57%), respectively. In case of applying manual method of dose optimization, the percentage of cases with excellent, very good or good effect is bigger and comes to 93% (67 patients). This correlation is presented in Table 9.

Table 9.

Estimation of cosmetic effect – correlation with optimization method

Optimization method 10 points score Total
1-6 pts. 7-10 pts.
Automatic 9 (43%) 12 (57%) 21
Manual 5 (7%) 67 (93%) 72
Total 14 79 93
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Correlation between cosmetic effect and chemotherapy

Chemotherapy had shown no significant influence on cosmetic outcome. In both compared group of patients (chemotherapy and no chemotherapy group), the percentage of patients with excellent, very good or good cosmetic result was 79% and 88% (CC = 0.1162, p = 0.2592), respectively. The difference is statistically not essential. Individual data of this subgroup of patients is presented in Table 10.

Formulation of regulation rules

In all above analysis, using rules induction system ProbRough, including all clinical and therapeutic factors versus cosmetic results, the strongest decision force is displayed by dimension of mammographic lesion. The conclusions are as follows: if mammographic dimension is >11 mm, the cosmetic effect with great probability would be worse (4-6 points), if mammographic dimension is < 11 mm, the cosmetic outcome with high possibilities would be excellent, very good or good (7-10 points). The above presented formulation of regulation rules system is clinically applicable as the “Knowledge Discovery in Databases”.

Discussion

Clinical researches of breast cancer patients treated with conserving therapy allowed to describe the main factors affecting the final cosmetic result, acquired after combined treatment [6, 7, 12, 14, 52–58]. The unanimity of authors include the influence of: surgical technique (in the first place in relation to the volume of tissue removed and the breast size), the degree of total and fractional dose in supplementary irradiation with the use of external beam, the process of local increase of ionizing irradiation and applying an adjuvant chemotherapy. Each consecutive stage of treatment influence the last effect of therapy. In the beginning, the estimation of cosmetic outcome after conserving therapy was based entirely on a subjective scale. However, in 1976 Harris had introduced 4-point scale of this evaluation, which became a foundation for other scientist. It was used till the end of the 80ties when EORTC Radiotherapy Cooperative Group on the basis of van Limbergen’s work accepted so called objective scale [7, 12, 14, 17, 30, 56, 57, 59–62]. Objective scale is based on measurements of breast retraction and its rotation as well as reaction and late postradiation skin lesion. In Polish literature this kind of evaluation was used by A. Niwińska et al. [14].

In this work the subjective 10-point scale was used in order to separate subgroups of patients where the final cosmetic outcome was influenced by interstitial HDR-BT. Similarly for other authors analyzing the influence of interstitial brachytherapy on the final cosmetic result in conserving therapy, the local effect to decrease the evaluation of the final outcome are: thickening or deformity of postoperative scar or glandular tissue located directly under the scar (within the reference volume during brachytherapy), scar retraction below the skin level, skin depigmentation in places of applicators inserting, different level of teleangiectasia intensification [14, 49, 57, 58, 63–69]. The analyzing group is homogeneous with regard to surgical procedures and EBRT parameters used in treatment, which allowed to estimate the influence of one stage of combine treatment – interstitial brachytherapy to obtain the final cosmetic result.

Clinical investigations of Bentzen et al., van Limbergen, as well as the summary report of EORTC 10.882/22.881, demonstrated directly proportional impact of quantity of absorbed dose and the volume of irradiated tissues resulting in appearance of postradiation fibrosis [49, 50, 55–57, 60, 66, 70, 71]. The initial value of tumor is described by the volume of tissues removed during tumorectomy and reference volume during local increase of ionizing irradiation (boost). Both elements influenced the final cosmetic outcome. The above observations confirmed the choice of surgery procedures – quadrantectomy versus tumorectomy resulting from primary size of tumor. With regard to considerably worse cosmetic results subsequent to expanded treatment (eg. quadrantectomy), there is a tendency to significantly restricted recommendation for this type of treatments in conserving therapy [6, 17, 30, 33, 34]. The dose of ionizing irradiation on the skin surface is the next significant parameter for early and late postradiation reaction, ipso facto cosmetic result. The occurrence of teleangiectasia – small pathologic blood vessels within the area of discolored skin – results from direct clinical outcome of high dose irradiation [16, 50, 55, 61]. Such changes were observed in most of the cases in analyzed material and estimated as good and below good outcomes. It was particularly related to locations of inserting interstitial slides through the skin, however it was not observed within the area of postsurgery scars, neither in opposite areas of applicators insertion. This conforms accuracy to restrict indications of local dose decrease with HDR brachytherapy of lesions localized deeper under the skin (minimum 1 cm margin from upper cut range in postsurgery histopathology investigation).

With regard to therapeutic target and in order to assure homogeneity of a dose, minimum biplane implantations are recommended with additional parameter optimization of source standing time in certain position of active section, which visibly improves dose homogeneity within the target. No complication were found within analyzed group of patients such as postradiation pneumonia or myocardial injury which are observed in some percentage of cases after radiotherapy with EBRT [2, 37, 68, 72–74]. Amongst aspects that are considered to influence the final local effect, age as a factor is not investigated by all authors. In presented material, age is not a factor to significantly influence cosmetic outcome.

In investigated material, statistically significant correlation was found between cosmetic result and clinical and mammographic dimension of the lesion. Similar observation had been noted in a literature analyzing this type of parameters [5, 6, 12, 14, 30, 58]. Direct factor related to size of tumor is the extensiveness of surgical procedure. In case of surgery with minor tissue extension (tumorectomy) the result was better with well define statistical relevance compared to quadrantectomy. Similar results were observed in relation to the increase of irradiated tissue volume during interstitial brachytherapy (number of applicators, reference volume). This results comes in accordance with literature data [70, 75–79]. All parameters that are implicated by tumor size (clinical and mammographic dimension, extent of surgical procedure, volume of irradiated tissues) influence the final cosmetic result in inversely proportional way. In analyzed group of patients statistically significant influence of dose degradation was observed on the final local outcome. The analysis of reasons for overdosage occurrences in site of inserted applicators, demonstrated the dose calculation in reference points localized at a distance of 1 cm from final point of active section of source travel way and recognized the distance as too big. In presented material, the automatic way of dose calculation was applied within one group of patients, however in this group the cosmetic outcome was poorer. The principle parameter that deteriorate cosmetic result is overdosage in breast skin area which leads to skin thickening, intensification of skin decolouration and escalation of teleangiectasia. The tolerance dose of skin blood vessels is relatively low. This problem does not depend directly on the technique of local dose increase (boost), but on the degree of the dose [57, 60, 61, 66, 80, 81]. In case of interstitial HDR-BT this issue concern only sites of interstitial applicators.

In group with automatic dose optimization in order to restrict the number of interstitial applicators, with entire target defined, dose calculation reference points were at 1 cm distance from their surface. As a result, the source standing time in consecutive points of extreme applicators experienced significant elongation where iodize superposition of surrounding slides did not occur. Doses acquired in final points of active section were particularly essential, since they were responsible for the overdosage in sites of applicators inserted through the skin surface, resulting in late postradiation symptoms (increased teleangiectasia within the area). This indication was the most essential factor of cosmetic outcome aggravation and directly associated with brachytherapy. Another issue was the appearance of areas with significant exceed of dose above prescribed amount in relation to the entire therapeutic target. It resulted as a reference points distance from the surface of interstitial applicators with dose heterogeneity in target. Within this group of patients, thickening and postsurgery scar being pulled in was clinically observed.

In case of patients with manual optimization, two main elements were changed in treatment planning: the distance of reference points from 1 to 0.5 cm from slides surface and the final way of dose optimization. Introductory automatic optimization was corrected with source standing time parameter in consecutive points of travel way for elimination of overdosage area. First of all, the dose degree close to the extreme slides in final points of active section was corrected, which lowered the dose degree in slides insertion points on the skin surface.

The localization of breast tumor frequently decides about the choice of the type of surgery incision. The radial incision was applied in tumor lower parts because this type of cutting in this area permits better cosmetic results. Since the tumor localization did not show significant influence on final result, the radial incision was the parameter that statistically deteriorated cosmetic effect.

Conclusions

  1. HDR brachytherapy is an important element in conserving therapy of non advanced breast cancer. Local increase of ionizing dose radiation allows to achieve at least good level of cosmetic outcome in 85% of patients.

  2. There are important clinical factors that influence cosmetic results in this way of treatment such as: tumor dimension evaluated in physical or mammographic examination (the lower value of this parameter, the better cosmetic outcome) or therapeutic investigation: the type of surgical procedure (with better tumorectomy than quadrotectomy results), the type of surgical incision (arched cutting with better results compared to radial incision), the number of interstitial slides and reference volume of irradiated tissues (the lower the value of parameters, the better final result), the method of dose optimization in brachytherapy (better manual method compared to automatic technique).

  3. In the above way of treatment, the most important factors to determine the cosmetic outcome are: type of surgery, amount of interstitial slides and technique of dose optimization.

  4. Factors like: age of patients, tumor localization in individual quadrants and chemotherapy demonstrate no significant influence on final cosmetic result.

The article was written using some parts of doctoral thesis of Anna Kulik, with Prof. Bogdan Gliński MD, PhD as a promotor.

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