Abstract:
Objective To comprehensively access current status of radiotherapy after breast conserving surgery(BCS) for breast cancer in Guangdong Province. Methods From June, 2007 to June, 2008, questionnaires on the general information, targets selection and radiotherapy techniques, sequence with adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy after BCS were sent to the departments of radiotherapy of different hospitals throughout Guangdong Province. Results Total 27 departments performed radiotherapy after BCS. The median ratio of patients with radiotherapy after BCS accounting for all new-diagnosed breast cancer patients was 7.3%(3.9%~22.5%). All departments applied intact breast plus tumor bed irradiation routinely. For intact breast photon tangential irradiation, proportions of departments who added wedge or bolus were 88.9% and 25.9% respectively. For tumor bed boost irradiation, electron beam was the most common technique (performed 85.2%), and proportion of departments who took the volume of expanding 1~1.5cm from surgical clip marks as boost volume was only 18.5%. In addition, the median total doses to intact breast and tumor bed boosting were 50Gy(42.5~50Gy) and 10Gy(10~20Gy) respectively. The most common sequence of radiotherapy and chemotherapy was sandwich mode of “chemotherapy-radiotherapy-chemotherapy”, performed 70.3%. The median interval between surgery and radiotherapy was 8 weeks(2~32 weeks). Conclusion Guangdong Province still required to enhance breast conserving treatment. A consensus has been reached that intact breast plus tumor bed should be taken as routine irradiated targets, however, there was still controversy in the decision for appropriate irradiation techniques and optimal sequence of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which might reach through advanced professional training and further prospective clinical evidences to guide clinical practice.