Radiotherapy Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Radiotherapy, including details on cancer treatment, side effects.

Should adjuvant radiotherapy to the supraclavicular fossa be routinely given in patients with breast conservative treatment?

Wang CW, Kuo WH, Chang KJ, Huang CS, Cheng JC

Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: To analyze the overall outcome, supraclavicular fossa (SCF) recurrence rate, and pattern of failure in breast cancer patients treated with conservative surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy excluding SCF treatment. METHODS: A total of 143 patients were enrolled in the study. Ninety-two percent of patients were stages I and II, and 8% were stage III. The median age was 44 years, and 31% of patients were </=40 years old. Radiotherapy was delivered to the ipsilateral breast excluding the SCF. RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival rate of the cohort was 95%, and disease-free survival rate was 91%. The cumulative incidence of SCF recurrence was 18% in patients with involved axillary nodes (N) >/= 4, and 0.8% in patients with N < 4. The 5-year SCF-recurrence-free survival in patients with N >/= 4 and N < 4 was 80% and 99%, respectively (P < 0.001). N >/= 4 was the only independent predictor for locoregional control (P = 0.045), disease-free survival (P = 0.001), and overall survival (P = 0.008) in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Women with N >/= 4 have a significantly higher risk of SCF recurrence and poorer survival. The SCF might be safely spared in patients with N < 4, but should be routinely included in the radiotherapy design for those with N >/= 4.

Published 2 August 2007 in J Surg Oncol, 96(2): 144-50.
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