Concurrent Boost with Adjuvant Breast Hypofractionated Radiotherapy and Toxicity Assessment

Background: The use of shorter radiotherapy schedules has an economic and logistic advantage for radiotherapy departments, as well as a high degree of patient convenience. The aim of this study is to assess the acute and short-term late toxicities of a hypofractionated radiotherapy schedule with a concomitant boost.Methods: We enrolled ۵۷ eligible patients as group A. These patients received ۴۲.۵ Gy in ۱۶ fractions of ۲.۶۶ Gy each to the whole breast over ۳.۲ weeks. A concomitant electron boost of ۱۲ Gy in ۱۶ fractions was also administered which gave an additional ۰.۷۵ Gy daily to the lumpectomy area for a total radiation dose of ۵۴.۵ Gy. Toxicity was recorded at three weeks and at three months for this group as well as for a control group (group B). The control group comprised ۷۶ eligible patients treated conventionally with ۵۰ Gy to the whole breast over five weeks followed by a sequential electron boost of ۱۲ Gy in ۲ Gy per fraction.Results: There were no statistically significant differences observed in the incidence of acute skin toxicity, breast pain, and edema recorded at three weeks or pigmentation and fibrosis recorded at three months between the two groups (P۰.۰۵).Conclusion: The results of this study suggest there are no increased acute and short- term late toxicities affiliated with the hypofractionated schedule plus a concomitant boost as prescribed compared to the conventional fractionation of adjuvant breast radiotherapy. Large randomized trials and long-term follow-up are needed to confirm these favorable findings.