Is There a Tradeoff in Using Modified High Tangent Field Radiation for Treating an Undissected Node-Positive Axilla?
Publication Date
2014
Journal Title
Clin Breast Cancer
Abstract
Axillary management in breast cancer patients continues to evolve. This study demonstrates that radiation may be a safe option with respect to cardiac and pulmonary side effects for a surgically undissected axilla. Introduction: Recent data are changing axillary management in patients with 1 to 2 positive sentinel nodes. The proposed omission of completion axillary node dissection calls into question the need for axillary nodal irradiation. This study evaluates the difference in dose to the lung and heart and risk of radiation pneumonitis (RP) for patients treated with standard tangent fields (STF) compared with modified high tangent fields (MHTF). Materials and Methods: Plans of 30 patients treated with STF were evaluated. A second plan (MHTF) was developed to include axillary levels I (Ax1) and II (Ax2). Ax1 and Ax2 volumes were contoured based on the RTOG (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group) Atlas guidelines. Dose-volume histograms of the 2 plans were used to compare doses received by Ax1, Ax2, lung, and heart volumes. The risk of RP was calculated using normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) modeling. Results: The D-95 (dose to 95% of volume) received by Ax1 and Ax2 volumes increased from 16.38 Gy and 5.71 Gy for STF to 49.38 Gy and 48.08 Gy for MHTF, respectively. Mean lung dose increased from 5.40 Gy for STF to 9.47 Gy for MHTF. Mean ipsilateral lung V-5, V-10, and V-20 values increased from 19%, 14%, and 10%, respectively, for STF, to 32%, 24%, and 18%, respectively, for MHTF. Mean heart dose increased from 1.98 Gy for STF to 3.93 Gy for MHTF. Mean heart V-25 and V-30 values increased from 2% and 1%, respectively, for STF, to 4% and 3%, respectively, for MHTF. NTCP for RP increased from near 0% for STF to 1% for MHTF. Conclusion: Modified high tangent fields are necessary for definitive coverage of Ax1 and Ax2. This technique increases mean ipsilateral lung and heart doses as well as the V-5, V-10, and V-20 of ipsilateral lung and the V-26 and V-30 of the heart. Risk of RP remains low by use of MHTF. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Volume Number
14
Issue Number
2
Pages
109-113
Document Type
Article
Status
Faculty
Facility
School of Medicine
Primary Department
Molecular Medicine
PMID
DOI
10.1016/j.clhc.2013.10.004