IntroductionNCCN recommendations suggest irradiating chest wall/breast only + regional node irradiation (RNI) of the undissected axillary levels for node-positive breast cancer (BC) patients. We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of node-positive BC patients who received adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) with a volume de-escalation at the level of axillary nodes.Material and methodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of node-positive BC patients treated with adjuvant RT administered following a conventional fractionation schedule using a 3D-conformal technique to the chest wall or breast and only the IV axillary level. The primary endpoint of the study was disease free survival (DFS). Secondary endpoints included loco-regional control (LRC), and Overall Survival (OS). Toxicity was documented according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) criteria.ResultsA total cohort of 343 patients was analyzed. Loco-regional recurrence occurred in 100 (29.1%). The 5- and 10-year Kaplan-Meyer curves for DFS were 81.4% (95% CI: 79.3%-83.5%) and 60.9% (95% CI: 57.6%-64.5%), respectively. Multivariate Cox analysis confirmed that lymph node ratio (HR = 9.76, 95% CI: 3.12-30.53, p = 0.0001), Luminal B subtype (HR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.26-3.29, p = 0.004), and triple-negative subtype (HR = 2.70, 95% CI: 1.22-5.99, p = 0.01) were significant predictors of poor DFS. Lymphedema in the ipsilateral arm was reported in 32 (9.3%) patients, primarily Grade 1 or 2.ConclusionsImproved patients' selection and a broader use of systemic therapy could make de-escalation a feasible option. However, this approach should be avoided in patients with extensive nodal involvement, specific molecular subtypes, or comorbidities that prevent the use of chemotherapy.
Colciago, R., Ferrario, F., Chissotti, C., Rossano, G., De Sanctis, L., Faccenda, V., et al. (2025). Long-term outcomes of volume de-escalation for breast nodal irradiation. BREAST CANCER RESEARCH AND TREATMENT [10.1007/s10549-025-07652-3].
Long-term outcomes of volume de-escalation for breast nodal irradiation
Colciago R. R.;Ferrario F.;Chissotti C.;Rossano G.;De Sanctis L.;Panizza D.;Arcangeli S.
2025
Abstract
IntroductionNCCN recommendations suggest irradiating chest wall/breast only + regional node irradiation (RNI) of the undissected axillary levels for node-positive breast cancer (BC) patients. We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of node-positive BC patients who received adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) with a volume de-escalation at the level of axillary nodes.Material and methodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of node-positive BC patients treated with adjuvant RT administered following a conventional fractionation schedule using a 3D-conformal technique to the chest wall or breast and only the IV axillary level. The primary endpoint of the study was disease free survival (DFS). Secondary endpoints included loco-regional control (LRC), and Overall Survival (OS). Toxicity was documented according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) criteria.ResultsA total cohort of 343 patients was analyzed. Loco-regional recurrence occurred in 100 (29.1%). The 5- and 10-year Kaplan-Meyer curves for DFS were 81.4% (95% CI: 79.3%-83.5%) and 60.9% (95% CI: 57.6%-64.5%), respectively. Multivariate Cox analysis confirmed that lymph node ratio (HR = 9.76, 95% CI: 3.12-30.53, p = 0.0001), Luminal B subtype (HR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.26-3.29, p = 0.004), and triple-negative subtype (HR = 2.70, 95% CI: 1.22-5.99, p = 0.01) were significant predictors of poor DFS. Lymphedema in the ipsilateral arm was reported in 32 (9.3%) patients, primarily Grade 1 or 2.ConclusionsImproved patients' selection and a broader use of systemic therapy could make de-escalation a feasible option. However, this approach should be avoided in patients with extensive nodal involvement, specific molecular subtypes, or comorbidities that prevent the use of chemotherapy.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.