Palliative radiotherapy for breast cancer patients with skin invasion: a multi-institutional prospective observational study. (19th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nakamura, Naoki; Kawamori, Jiro; Takahashi, Osamu; Shikama, Naoto; Sekiguchi, Kenji; Takahashi, Takeo; Kato, Shingo; Ogita, Mami; Motegi, Atsushi; Akimoto, Tetsuo
• Is Part Of: Japanese journal of clinical oncology. Volume 48:Number 6(2018)
• Page Start: 555
• Page End: 558
• Publication Date: 2018-04-19
• Subjects: breast cancer -- radiotherapy -- palliative radiotherapy -- skin invasion; Oncology -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Periodicals; 616.994005
• DOI: 10.1093/jjco/hyy054
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0368-2811

Abstract

Abstract : Palliative radiotherapy for skin invasion in patients with breast cancer might be effective, especially for the relief of bleeding/discharge and offensive odor. Abstract: Purpose: To clarify the efficacy of palliative radiotherapy for the relief of symptoms due to skin invasion in patients with breast cancer. Materials and methods: We conducted a multi-institutional prospective observational study of patients who received palliative radiotherapy for skin invasion due to a primary lesion or chest wall recurrence. Bleeding/discharge, offensive odor, pain and QOL scores were evaluated before and 1, 3 and 6 months after radiotherapy. Results: Twenty-one patients were assessed. Sixteen patients (76%) received 36 Gy in 12 fractions. The mean (±1 SD) score of bleeding/discharge was 1.90 ± 0.89 before radiotherapy, 1.50 ± 0.74 at 1 month, 0.47 ± 0.58 at 3 months, and 0.82 ± 1.04 at 6 months ( P = 0.001). The mean score of offensive odor was 1.21 ± 1.38 before radiotherapy, 0.71 ± 0.92 at 1 month, 0.20 ± 0.41 at 3 months, and 0.27 ± 0.62 at 6 months ( P = 0.008). The mean score of pain was 2.90 ± 1.22 before radiotherapy, 3.05 ± 1.36 at 1 month, 3.29 ± 1.10 at 3 months, and 3.31 ± 1.54 at 6 months ( P = 0.431). The mean total score of QOL-ACD/QOL-ACD-B was 126.2 ± 24.5 before radiotherapy, 130.3 ± 26.3 at 1 month, 136.2 ± 26.6 at 3 months, and 126.6 ± 32.8 at 6 months ( P = 0.178). Conclusion: Palliative radiotherapy for skin invasion in patients with breast cancer might be effective, especially for the relief of bleeding/discharge and offensive odor.