Long-term outcome after partial breast irradiation with interstitial multi-catheter high-dose-rate brachytherapy: Results from a Phase II prospective study with extended follow-up.
Valeria Epifani, Paola Anselmo, Fabio Arcidiacono et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This prospective observational Phase II study assessed late toxicity, cosmesis, and cancer outcomes after partial breast irradiation with interstitial multi-catheter high-dose-rate brachytherapy. It enrolled 292 selected patients with ductal carcinoma in situ or small, node-negative invasive breast cancer from 2003 to 2023, with follow-up reported up to 20 years. Late toxicity was recorded in 35% of evaluated patients, while cosmetic outcomes were excellent or good in 96%. Ipsilateral breast tumour recurrence occurred in 10 patients (3.4%); its cumulative incidence was 1.8% at 5 years and 3.8% at 10 and 15 years.
Key findings
- Late toxicities, mainly telangiectasia, fibrosis, and liponecrosis, occurred in 100/286 patients evaluated (35%).
- Cosmetic outcomes were rated excellent or good in 96% of cases.
- Ipsilateral breast tumour recurrence occurred in 10 patients (3.4%), with cumulative incidence of 1.8% at 5 years and 3.8% at 10 and 15 years.
- Breast cancer-free specific survival was 98.4% after 5 years, 95.7% after 10 years, and 94% after 15 years.
Why it matters
The findings provide long-term outcome data for partial breast irradiation using this brachytherapy technique in a selected early-stage breast cancer population. They show that favourable cosmetic ratings and low reported recurrence incidence can coexist with measurable late toxicity, supporting balanced discussion of both benefits and harms when considering this approach.
What to keep in mind
The study was observational, so it cannot establish comparative effectiveness against other treatments. Its findings apply to patients meeting the specified selection criteria.