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Radiation complications following breast conserving therapy

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Abstract

Background

Breast conserving therapy is being established as a standard therapeutic procedure for early breast cancer in Japan. However, the indications of radiotherapy and a standardized therapeutic procedure have not been established yet. In this study, complications following radiotherapy were evaluated in patients who had previously undergone breast conserving therapy at Tokushima University Hospital.

Methods

From October 1989 to March 1996, 60 women with stage I or II breast cancer underwent radiation therapy after breast conserving surgery, and all patients were followed-up for a median of 27 months. Radiation morbidity scoring of the breast and adjacent organs was performed using the toxity criteria of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC).

Results

Only 1 patient developed local recurrence, and no distant metastasis or death was observed. The cause of recurrence in 1 case was considered to be due to extended intraductal component. Although transient dermal reaction was induced by irradiation of the breast, no side effects that may cause cosmetic problems were found. No serious radiation complications were found in the lungs, ribs, heart or other adjacent organs.

Conclusions

The adverse reactions caused by irradiation does not reduce the merit of combined use of radiation therapy in breast conserving therapy, and therefore, are not the hesitation factor in application of radiotherapy.

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Abbreviations

EIC:

Extended intraductal component

RTOG:

Radiation Therapy Oncology Group

EORTC:

European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of Tokushima, Kuramoto-cho, 3-18-15, 770-8503, Tokushima, Japan

    Hitoshi Ikushima, Hiroaki Yasuda, Yumi Makimoto, Kenji Matsuzaki, Kenichi Kashihara, Jyunji Ueno & Hiromu Nishitani

  2. Departments of Radiological Technology, University of Tokushima, Japan

    Yoshihiro Takegawa

  3. Nursing, School of Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Japan

    Tadaoki Morimoto

  4. Tokushima Breast Care Clinic, University of Tokushima, Japan

    Mitsunori Sasa

Authors
  1. Hitoshi Ikushima
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  2. Yoshihiro Takegawa
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  3. Hiroaki Yasuda
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  4. Yumi Makimoto
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  5. Kenji Matsuzaki
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  6. Kenichi Kashihara
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  7. Jyunji Ueno
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  8. Mitsunori Sasa
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  9. Tadaoki Morimoto
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  10. Hiromu Nishitani
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Cite this article

Ikushima, H., Takegawa, Y., Yasuda, H. et al. Radiation complications following breast conserving therapy. Breast Cancer 5, 395–400 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02967437

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02967437

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