By the end of treatment week four, six patients (16%) had a grade 0 toxicity, 26 (68%) patients had grade 1 toxicity and six (16%) patients had grade 2 toxicity. There was no grade 3 or higher skin toxicity. Six weeks after radiation, the grade 2 skin toxicity was resolved for all women.

"Our study shows that IMRT for four weeks does cause side effects to the skin, but the level is milder than expected and considered acceptable," explained Freedman. "What's more, these results are comparable to the side effects seen in studies of conventional six-weeks of radiation."

Data is also being collected on tumor recurrence, cosmesis and quality of life.

"This radiation schedule may represent an alternative both to longer six- to seven-week standard whole-breast radiation and the more radically shortened one-week partial-breast treatment schedules," Freedman said.

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Contact: Karen C. Mallet
k_carter@fccc.edu
215-728-2700
Fox Chase Cancer Center
10-Dec-2004