Skin toxicity after chest wall/breast plus level III-IV lymph nodes treatment with helical tomotherapy

Abstract

Introduction: To evaluate the incidence of toxicity in breast cancer with helical tomotherapy (HT).

Materials and methods: 51 patients with breast cancer were assigned to postoperative radiotherapy by means of HT to the chest wall/breast plus draining nodes. During HT treatment, toxicity was monitored and were assessed using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 4.0 scale.

Results: Acute skin G3 toxicity observed in 1.9% cases. No acute or late G4 toxicity was observed. At a median follow-up of 21 months 2 patients have late G1 toxicity.

Conclusions: HT was associated with a low incidence of low-grade skin toxicity.

Keywords: breast cancer; helical tomotherapy; radiotherapy; skin toxicity.