From October 2007 to September 2009, 30 early breast cancer patients were enrolled in a 3D-conformal APBI Phase II trial (40 Gy/10 fractions/5 days). Treatment related toxicities and cosmetic results were assessed by both patients and physicians at each visit (at 1, 2, 6 months, and then every 6 months). Patient satisfaction was also scored.
After a median follow-up of 27.7 months, all patients were satisfied with APBI treatment, regardless of cosmetic results or late adverse events. Good/excellent cosmetic results were noticed by 80%of patients versus 92%of cases by radiation oncologists. Breast pain was systematically underestimated by physicians (8-20%vs. 16.6-26.2%; Kappa coefficient KC = 0.16-0.44). Grade 1 and 2 fibrosis and/or breast retraction occurred in 7-12%of patients and were overestimated by patients (KC = 0.14-0.27).
Present results have shown discrepancies between patient and physician assessments. In addition to the assessment of efficacy and toxicity after 3D-conformal APBI, patients鈥?cosmetic results consideration and satisfaction should be also evaluated.