UCSF

Purpose

Bulky chest wall recurrence after mastectomy presents a therapeutic challenge because of high-dose of radiation required to control the disease, and its proximity to low-tolerance organs at risk. We report a case of successful computed tomography (CT)-guided high-dose-rate (HDR) salvage interstitial brachytherapy (ISBT) boost.

Material and methods

A 70-year-old female initially presented with a tumor in right breast, and was treated with mastectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy, followed by hormonal therapy for 5 years without adjuvant radiotherapy. In 2018, 20 years after the initial treatment, she developed unresectable chest wall recurrence that measured 10.5 cm × 7.3 cm × 4.5 cm, with bone and parietal pleura invasion. Biopsy revealed invasive pleomorphic lobular carcinoma [estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, progesterone receptor (PR)-negative, HER2-negative]. There was no evidence of metastatic disease.

Results

The patient underwent external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) plus ISBT. After EBRT of 50 Gy in 25 fractions was completed, CT-guided ISBT was performed as an outpatient treatment. HDR dose was 16 Gy delivered in 2 fractions with 2 implants. Dose was prescribed to gross tumor volume. ISBT plans were created using inverse planning simulated annealing (IPSA) algorithm. Gross tumor volume D_90% plus EBRT dose was 82 Gy equivalent dose of 2 Gy (EQD₂), assuming α/β of 4 for breast carcinoma. The patient continued on hormonal therapy. At the 30-month follow-up, the patient remains in remission. The tumor could not be detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or positron emission tomography (PET). There were no severe treatment-related complications.

Conclusions

CT-guided HDR ISBT boost can be a useful modality in individualizing treatment strategies for breast cancer patients with unresectable bulky chest wall recurrence.