Introduction

Incidental irradiation of cardiac structures in left-sided breast cancer increases the risk of subsequent ischaemic cardiac events [1]. Notably, any Gy increase in mean cardiac dose correlates linearly with a 7.4% increase in non-threshold cardiac events [2]. Different absorbed doses and irradiated volumes result in a variety of pathophysiologic events: macrovascular damage to the coronary vessels such as atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction, or microvascular damage with valvular heart disease and heart failure [3, 4]. Disturbingly, breast cancer patients who developed cardiac disease after initial cancer diagnosis have a higher risk of recurrence and cancer-specific death [5]. In particular, dose-dependent vulnerability of the left ventricle and all coronary segments justifies more rigorous dose reduction [6,7,8,9].

Currently, deep inspiration breath hold technique (DIBH) in the supine position allows reproducible cardiac shift from the irradiation field. Therefore, it is a widely used protective heart approach [10]. DIBH can be performed by tangential 3D-conformal radiotherapy (3DRT) or rotational/multiangle intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT/VMAT) [11].

Tangential 3DRT of the mammary gland tissue often unintentionally includes the locoregional lymph nodes in the radiation fields with therapeutic dose. This dose may be sufficient for the eradication of microscopic tumor residues. This hypothesis is supported by the results of the ACOSOG Z0011 study, where patients with 1–2 involved sentinel lymph nodes upon sentinel lymph node dissection had similar axillary recurrence rates whether they received secondary axillary lymph node dissection or not [12]. However, a retrospective review revealed that high tangents and supraclavicular irradiation were used in a significant proportion of patients [13].

We propose that DIBH may lead to differences in the incidental radiation dose of the axillary, supraclavicular and internal mammary lymph nodes due to changes in their position [14, 15] in relation to the tangential radiation portals.

In the absence of published data in this regard from randomized trials of DIBH vs free breathing (FB) RT in the supine position, reporting institutional experiences is necessary. The goal of this single-institutional retrospective study was to investigate dosimetric differences of incidental locoregional lymph nodes irradiation between DIBH and FB for left-sided breast cancer patients.

Materials and methods

Patient selection and treatment planning

From December 2017 to July 2020, 148 out of 247 patients with left-sided or bilateral breast cancer which were screened for irradiation in DIBH technique were included in this analysis. The majority of patients (131 patients, 88.5%) received 3DRT in DIBH. The remaining 17 (11.5%) patients received RT in FB either due to suboptimal compliance or lack of dosimetric benefits of DIBH.

BCS or mastectomy with axillary lymph node staging was performed according to institutional protocols. Systemic therapy was administered according to current guidelines [16] and individual recommendations of the multidisciplinary tumor board. A tumor bed boost was administered for all premenopausal patients or for postmenopausal patients with additional risk factors (tumor stage ≥ T2, extensive intraductal component, grade 3, HER2-positive or triple-negative tumors).

All patients received coaching for DIBH in the CT room using a Surface Image Guided RT (SGRT) system (C-RAD, Catalyst, C-RAD AB, Uppsala, Sweden). The patients were asked to take a deep breath and hold it for a duration of 20 s. The width of the gating window was set to 5 mm. All patients received two CT scans with a slice thickness of 2 mm (Brilliance, CT Big Bore, Philips, Cleveland, OH) in FB and DIBH. Treatment planning (Oncentra MasterPlan, Nucletron, Veenendaal, The Netherlands and/or Eclipse™ planning systems (Varian Medical Systems)) was carried out using standard tangential treatment portals (6 or 18 MV; Synergy; Elekta, Crawley, United Kingdom).

Adjuvant WBI or thoracic wall RT was delivered using either moderate hypofractionation (40.05 Gy in 15 fractions) or conventional fractionation (50.00–50.40 Gy in 25–28 fractions). Boost irradiation was delivered sequentially (10–16 Gy in 5–8 fractions), with simultaneous integrated boost (58.80–61.60 Gy in 25–28 fractions) or IORT (single dose of 20 Gy with 50-kV photons [17]).

During follow up, all patients were examined every three to six months for the first two years in the radiation oncology department, followed by annual visits thereafter. Breast ultrasound was performed every 6 months for the first three years. Mammograms were obtained six months after WBI, and yearly after the first mammography. Suspected recurrences were biopsy confirmed.

Statistical analysis

For the planned dosimetric evaluation, lymph nodes levels of interest (axillary lymph node levels I, II, III, supraclavicular (SC) and internal mammary (IM) lymph nodes) as well as the contralateral breast were retrospectively delineated (Fig. 1). The delineation was done on both the FB and the DIBH scan according to the RTOG recommendations [18]. DVH parameters were then extracted for all delineated structures (volume, Dmean, D50%, Dmax, Dmin, V30, V40).

Fig. 1
figure 1

Delineation of locoregional lymph nodes and isodose distribution. a-c: Delineation of the supraclavicular (green), axillary lymph levels I (yellow) and II (light blue axillary lymph nodes in level III (blue), internal mammary (orange). a + c: CT scan in DIBH; b + d: CT scan in FB; a-d: Visualization of isodose distribution in DIBH and FB

Full size image

Data are reported as a mean, median (range), and frequencies. For all dosimetric parameters, mean values and their corresponding ranges as well as the relative dose reduction were determined. DVH parameters of the FB vs. DIBH plans were compared using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Effect size was assessed according to Cohen (1988) [19]. Analysis was performed using SPSS version 27 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA).

Results

Altogether, 148 patients with 296 CT scans were analyzed. Baseline characteristics are shown in Table 1. Most patients had T1 (67.6%, n = 100) and N0 stage (87.8%, n = 130) with positive estrogen and progesterone receptor status. Poor differentiation (G3) and Ki-67 > 20% were present in 25.7% and 41.9 of patients, respectively. A minority of patients required re-resection to achieve clear margins (12.8%). Only four patients received mastectomy (2.7%). About 23% of patients received hypofractionated radiotherapy.

Table 1 Patient, tumor and treatment characteristics for patients treated using deep inspiration breath hold technique for whole breast or thoracic wall irradiation in our institution between 2017 and 2019 (n = 148). Staging of breast cancer was based on the 7th Edition of the UICC TNM classification
Full size table

Axillary lymph node levels I, II and III

The DVH parameters for levels I-III, SC and IM are summarized in Table 2.

Table 2 Comparison of selected DVH parameters for locoregional lymph node levels in axillary levels I-III, supraclavicular and internal mammary region and contralateral breast in DIBH and FB technique
Full size table

The mean dose (Dmean) in level I, II and III in DIBH were 32.28 Gy (range 2.87–51.7), 20.10 Gy (range 0.44–53.84) and 3.84 Gy (range 0.25–39.23) vs. 34.93 Gy (range 10.52–50.40), 16.40 Gy (range 0.38–52.40) and 3.06 Gy (range 0.21–40.48) in the FB group (p < 0.0001 for all) (Fig. 2). In comparison to FB, Dmean for level I was reduced by 7.59% (effect size, r = 0.38) and increased for level II and III by 22.56% (r = 0.45), and 25.49% (r = 0.47).

Fig. 2
figure 2

Ratio of Dmean for axillary level I-III in DIBH to FB position (Y-axis) in the entire cohort (X-axis, n = 148). Abbreviation: DIBH: deep inspiration breath hold; FB: free breathing

Full size image

The D50% in level I, II, and III in DIBH were 35.42 Gy (range 1.64–53.35), 19.65 Gy (range 0.44–52.32) and 3.23 Gy (range 0.25–44.97) vs. 39.02 Gy (range 2.75–52.05), 15.29 Gy (range 0.38–52.37) and 2.38 Gy (range 0.21–47.19) in the FB group (p < 0.0001 for all) (Table 2). Thus, in comparison to FB D50% for level I was reduced by 9.23% (r = 0.39), whereas it was increased for level II and III D50% by 28.52% (r = 0.42), and 35.71% (r = 0.46) (Table 2).

The mean values of V30Gy, and V40Gy for level I in the DIBH cohort were decreased by 9.23% and 11.13% (p < 0.0001 for both, r = 0.38 and r = 0.32), respectively. There was an increase in the mean values of V30, and V40 for level II in DIBH 27.88% (p < 0.0001, r = 0.41) and 29.31% (p < 0.0001, r = 0.44) respectively. There was a non-significant increase in the mean values of V30Gy and V40Gy for level III with DIBH (Table 2).

The mean volumes of the lymph node levels were assessed in FB and DIBH. There were small, but significant volume decreases in DIBH for level III by 3.83% (p < 0.0001) but not for level II by 1.28% (p = 0.062).

Supraclavicular and internal mammary region and contralateral breast

The Dmean for the SC in DIBH was 0.82 Gy (range 0.23–4.11), as compared to 0.84 Gy (range 0.22–10.80) with FB (p = 0.002). This results in a Dmean reduction of 2.38% (r = 0.26) in DIBH (Fig. 3). The mean volumes of the SC in FB were 27.2 cm3 (range 15.2–38.5) vs. DIBH: 26 cm3 (range 13–37.3). This resulted with moderate volume decrease in DIBH for SC by 2.4% (p < 0.0001).

Fig. 3
figure 3

Ratio of Dmean for the supraclavicular region in DIBH to FB position (Y-axis) in the entire cohort (X-axis, n = 148). Abbreviation: DIBH: deep inspiration breath hold; FB: free breathing

Full size image

The Dmean for IM was 12.77 Gy (range 1.45–39.09) in DIBH vs. 11.17 Gy (range 1.34–44.24) in FB (p = 0.005). This yields a Dmean increase of 14.32% (r = 0.23) in DIBH (Fig. 4). The mean of V30Gy, and V40Gy for IM in DIBH were by 29.47% (p = 0.019, r = 0.19) and 33.54% (p = 0.02, r = 0.19) (Table 2). The mean volume of the IM in FB was 7.6 cm3 (range 3.80–9.5) compared to 7.5 cm3 (range 3.7–9.5) in DIBH. This corresponded to a small, but significant decrease in volume in DIBH for IM by 1.3% (p < 0.0001).

Fig. 4
figure 4

Ratio of Dmean for the internal mammary region in DIBH to FB position (Y-axis) in the entire cohort (X-axis, n = 148). Abbreviation: DIBH: deep inspiration breath hold; FB: free breathing

Full size image

Mean values for right (contralateral) breast were 795.5 cm3 (range 128–2762.7) for FB and 801.2 cm3 (range 121.80–2759.1) for DIBH. The mean relative difference between DIBH and FB was small (relative increase of 0.72%), but statistically significant (p = 0.023).

Discussion

In this retrospective single-center analysis, we could demonstrate that the use of DIBH leads to significant changes in dose-volume parameters for patients with left-sided breast cancer treated with tangential 3DRT. For level I, DIBH lead to a decrease in incidental dose whereas DIBH was associated with increased doses for level II-III, supraclavicular and internal mammary lymph nodes.

Since publication of the ACOSOG Z0011-trial, there has been a controversial discussion regarding the radiation dose required for control of subclinical disease in the axilla [20]. Although the trial protocol mandated standard tangential irradiation, a subsequent retrospective analysis of 228 patients showed that more than half of the patients were treated with high tangents and 15% received supraclavicular irradiation [13]. A meta-analysis of prospective partial breast irradiation-trials demonstrated an increased risk of axillary recurrences with an odds ratio of 1.75 (95%-confidence interval 1.07–2.88), further suggesting that incidental axillary irradiation might contribute to locoregional control [21].

A recent systematic review identified 13 retrospective studies with a total of 475 patients which analyzed dosimetric parameters of axillary lymph node levels for patients planned for adjuvant whole breast radiotherapy [22]. There was considerable variation in axillary doses depending on the use of high tangents and radiation technique. For patients treated with standard tangential 3DRT, median dose in axillary levels I-III ranged from 22 to 43.5 Gy, 3 to 35.6 Gy, and 1 to 20.5 Gy, respectively [22]. In addition to these retrospective studies, Hildebrandt et al. recently published prospective data from the quality assurance program of the INSEMA-trial [23]. Incidental axillary doses were analyzed for 234 patients who underwent central plan review. Axillary level I and II were treated with a median of 72.8% and 39.9% of the prescribed dose in the breast, respectively. Level III only received a median dose of 16.4% of the breast dose. More than 25% of patients were treated with a median dose ≥ 95% of the breast dose in level I. Patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2 had significantly higher median doses in level I-III. Most patients received 3DRT (76.1%), while DIBH was only used in 1 patient [23].

DIBH is a standard technique for patients with left sided breast cancer due to a significant dose reduction of cardiac structures [24,25,26]. In 2019, the breast cancer expert panel of the German Society for Radiation Oncology (DEGRO) recommended the use of DIBH for the treatment of patients with left sided breast cancer [10]. However, DIBH is not only associated with a change in the position of the heart and lungs but also with changes in the chest wall and surrounding soft tissue [14, 15]. This may affect the incidental dose to axillary lymph node levels as well as the supraclavicular and internal mammary lymph nodes.

Borm et al. contoured axillary lymph node levels according to the RTOG atlas for 32 patients and compared incidental doses during DIBH and FB [15]. They demonstrated an overall three-dimensional movement of the axillary lymph node levels of 1.5 to 1.6 cm. The use of DIBH lead to a significant decrease in the incidental dose to level I and numerical, but mostly non-significant increases in the dose to level II and III [15].

Pazos et al. analyzed the influence of DIBH on doses to level I-III, supraclavicular and internal mammary nodes for 35 patients planned for radiotherapy of the breast or chest wall and the regional lymph nodes. Three-dimensional movement was between 0.79 cm for level I and 1.44 cm for internal mammary nodes. DIBH led to a significant decrease in the dose to level I and II compared to FB, however there were no significant differences for the other regions of interest [14].

In our analysis, the largest absolute changes were observed for level I with a decrease of 2.65 Gy (from 34.93 Gy to 32.28 Gy) and for level II with an increase of 3.7 Gy (from 16.40 Gy to 20.10 Gy). However, the clinical relevance may be more adequately addressed by comparing exposure to higher doses, such as V40Gy and V30Gy. While only small amounts of level II were exposed to these doses, DIBH led to an absolute decrease in the V40Gy and V30Gy of 6.3% and 5.9% for Level I, respectively. Level III as well as the supraclavicular and the internal mammary nodes were only minimally exposed to incidental irradiation. The observed changes, though in some cases statistically significant, may not be clinically relevant due to relatively small absolute differences. Compared to the analysis by Borm et al. [15], the changes in Dmean and V40Gy and V30Gy are somewhat smaller in magnitude. Contrary to their findings, we saw an increase in all dosimetric parameters for level II as well as Dmean to level III, but nor for V40Gy and V30Gy for level III. We observed considerably lower doses to level II and III, for example for Dmean of level II: 16.40 Gy (FB) and 20.10 Gy (DIBH) in our analysis compared to 23.7 Gy (FB) and 24.1 Gy (DIBH) for Borm et al. [15]. This may be related to differences in treatment planning and DIBH-technique. While we used a surface scanning-approach with a pre-defined gating window of 5 mm, the real-time position management system (RPM, Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA) was used by Borm et al. [15]. No details regarding the gating window were provided.

Our analysis represents the largest cohort both in terms of dosimetric analysis in FB and in DIBH. We included intraindividual comparisons based on CT-scans in FB and DIBH for each patient. To exclude confounding by different radiotherapy techniques, only tangential 3DRT-plans were analyzed. It has been previously shown that IMRT or VMAT can also significantly impact incidental dose to the axilla [27,28,29]. Thus, our data cannot be extrapolated to patients receiving a combination of DIBH and IMRT/VMAT. Interindividual differences in anatomy may be responsible in part for dosimetric variability. Furthermore, compliance with breath hold as well as the quality of coaching for DIBH and the depth of inspiration may have an impact on anatomical changes and the position of lymph node areas in DIBH. Unfortunately, information on BMI was not available from the patient charts and could thus not be analyzed. The subgroup of patients with mastectomy was too small to provide reliable estimates for statistical comparisons. About 23% of patients in our analysis received hypofractionated radiotherapy, which in itself may lead to a decreased biologically effective dose to the unintentionally exposed axilla [30].

In conclusion, we could demonstrate a significant variability in incidental dose exposure to regional lymph node areas in patients with left-sided breast cancer by the use of DIBH. Further studies are needed to determine the clinical significance of these findings and to establish predictors of dosimetric changes based on patient-related factors.