open access

Vol 71, No 3 (2021)
Research paper (original)
Published online: 2021-06-09
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Radiotherapy treatment planning for breast cancer patients after a subcutaneous mastectomy with the use of a prosthesis or expander

Piotr Kędzierawski12, Krzysztof Buliński23, Tomasz Kuszewski23, Katarzyna Wnuk23, Andrzej Dąbrowski23, Krzysztof Lis2, Janusz Braziewicz23, Krzysztof Ślosarek45
·
Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology 2021;71(3):146-152.
Affiliations
  1. Institute of the Health Sciences, Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland
  2. The Holycross Cancer Centre, Kielce, Poland
  3. Institute of Physics, Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland
  4. Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland
  5. M. Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch, Gliwice, Poland

open access

Vol 71, No 3 (2021)
Original article
Published online: 2021-06-09

Abstract

Introduction. Medical physicists planning radiation treatment are increasingly confronted with situations that require special attention. Undoubtedly, one such situation is the postoperative irradiation of a patient with breast cancer in which there is a prosthesis or an expander. In recent years, expanders have appeared in this location, which, due to the density of the device’s valve makes it difficult to prepare an acceptable treatment plan. The study aims to present treatment planning in these situation in various Polish cancer centres and to compare overall patient preparation for the treatment.

Material and methods. A questionnaire was prepared and sent to more than 20 radiotherapy departments, which included basic questions regarding the preparation of an irradiation plan for patients treated for breast cancer after a subcutaneous mastectomy with immediate reconstruction with a prosthesis or expander. The survey encompassed eight radiotherapy departments.

Results. Not all radiotherapy departments require a manufacturer’s certificate, which shows that the manufacturer does not prohibit the use of a prosthesis/expander during treatment with ionizing radiation. The X 6MV photons and the supine position, total and fraction doses: from 40 to 60 Gy and from 2 to 2.67 Gy, respectively, are the most commonly used. The way of defining them also depends on the oncological centre. The most commonly used irradiation technique is VMAT.

Conclusion. The conclusion from the questionnaire – no standardisation of treatment planning – should encourage the community, at least medical physicists, to develop rules of conduct in this case. Irradiation techniques are mainly dynamic ones. The expander or prosthesis does not significantly affect the dose distributions.

Abstract

Introduction. Medical physicists planning radiation treatment are increasingly confronted with situations that require special attention. Undoubtedly, one such situation is the postoperative irradiation of a patient with breast cancer in which there is a prosthesis or an expander. In recent years, expanders have appeared in this location, which, due to the density of the device’s valve makes it difficult to prepare an acceptable treatment plan. The study aims to present treatment planning in these situation in various Polish cancer centres and to compare overall patient preparation for the treatment.

Material and methods. A questionnaire was prepared and sent to more than 20 radiotherapy departments, which included basic questions regarding the preparation of an irradiation plan for patients treated for breast cancer after a subcutaneous mastectomy with immediate reconstruction with a prosthesis or expander. The survey encompassed eight radiotherapy departments.

Results. Not all radiotherapy departments require a manufacturer’s certificate, which shows that the manufacturer does not prohibit the use of a prosthesis/expander during treatment with ionizing radiation. The X 6MV photons and the supine position, total and fraction doses: from 40 to 60 Gy and from 2 to 2.67 Gy, respectively, are the most commonly used. The way of defining them also depends on the oncological centre. The most commonly used irradiation technique is VMAT.

Conclusion. The conclusion from the questionnaire – no standardisation of treatment planning – should encourage the community, at least medical physicists, to develop rules of conduct in this case. Irradiation techniques are mainly dynamic ones. The expander or prosthesis does not significantly affect the dose distributions.

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Keywords

breast cancer; subcutaneous mastectomy; prosthesis; expander; radiotherapy techniques; dose calculation algorithms

About this article
Title

Radiotherapy treatment planning for breast cancer patients after a subcutaneous mastectomy with the use of a prosthesis or expander

Journal

Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology

Issue

Vol 71, No 3 (2021)

Article type

Research paper (original)

Pages

146-152

Published online

2021-06-09

Page views

863

Article views/downloads

557

DOI

10.5603/NJO.2021.0029

Bibliographic record

Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology 2021;71(3):146-152.

Keywords

breast cancer
subcutaneous mastectomy
prosthesis
expander
radiotherapy techniques
dose calculation algorithms

Authors

Piotr Kędzierawski
Krzysztof Buliński
Tomasz Kuszewski
Katarzyna Wnuk
Andrzej Dąbrowski
Krzysztof Lis
Janusz Braziewicz
Krzysztof Ślosarek

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