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Purpose: Postmastectomy radiation therapy is a mainstay in the adjuvant treatment of node-positive breast cancer, but it poses risks for women with breast reconstruction. Multibeam intensity-modulated radiation therapy improves dose conformality and homogeneity, potentially reducing complications in breast cancer patients with implant-based reconstruction. To investigate this hypothesis, we conducted a single-arm phase 2 clinical trial of breast cancer patients who underwent mastectomy/axillary dissection and prosthesis-based reconstruction., Methods and Materials: The primary endpoint was the rate of implant failure (IF) within 24 months of permanent implant placement, which would be considered an improvement over historical controls if below 16%. IF was defined as removal leading to a flat chest wall or replacement with another reconstruction. Patients were analyzed in 2 cohorts. Cohort 1 (RT-PI) received radiation therapy to the permanent implant. Cohort 2 (RT-TE) received radiation therapy to the TE. IF rates, adverse events, and quality of life were analyzed. Follow-up/postradiation therapy assessments were compared with the baseline/preradiation therapy assessments at 3 to 10 weeks after exchange surgery. A subgroup underwent serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sessions to explore the association between MRI-detected changes and capsular contracture, a known adverse effect of radiation therapy., Results: Between June 2014 and March 2017, 119 women were enrolled. Cohort 1 included 45 patients, and cohort 2 had 74 patients. Among 100 evaluable participants, 25 experienced IF during the study period. IF occurred in 8/42 (19%) and 17/58 (29%) in cohorts 1 and 2, respectively. Among the IFs, the majority were due to capsular contracture (13), infection (7), exposure (3), and other reasons (2). Morphologic shape features observed in longitudinal MRI images were associated with the development of Baker grade 3 to 4 contractures., Conclusions: The rate of IF in reconstructed breast cancer patients treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy was similar to, but not improved over, that observed with conventional, 3-dimensional-conformal methods. MRI features show promise for predicting capsular contracture but require validation in larger studies., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Our purpose is to explore the effect of postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) modality and timing on complication rates in breast cancer patients receiving immediate 2-stages expander/implant., Methods and Materials: We reviewed the charts of 661 patients who underwent immediate 2-stages expander/implant with/without PMRT at our institution from 2000 to 2019. Patients were divided into 3 cohorts: no radiation, PMRT to expanders (RTE), and PMRT to implants after expander exchange (RTI). PMRT was delivered either with 3-dimensional conformal photon with or without chest wall boost (CWB) or proton therapy. Reconstruction complications were defined as infection/necrosis requiring debridement, capsular-contracture requiring capsulotomy, and reconstruction failure requiring prothesis removal. Logistic regression and Cox models were used to assess the effect of different radiation therapy modalities on complication rates and local control., Results: Among 661 patients, 309 (46.7%) received PMRT, 220 of the 309 (71.2%) received RTE before exchange, and 89 (28.8%) received RTI after exchange. Seventeen out of 309 (5.5%) patients received proton therapy. The complications among RTE versus RTI cohorts were 22.7% versus 15.7% for infection/necrosis, 13.6% versus 19.1% for capsular-contracture, and 39.5% versus 31.5% for overall reconstruction failure, respectively. Among proton patients, 8/17 (47%) developed capsular contracture compared with 16.4% (24/146) and 10.3% (15/146) in CWB and non-CWB groups, respectively. Adjusted multivariable analysis showed no significant difference between RTI and RTE in terms of infection/necrosis and capsular contracture. Yet, RTE significantly increased overall reconstruction failure compared with RTI (39.5% vs 31.5%; odds ratio [OR], 2.11; P = .02). Protons significantly increased capsular contracture compared with both CWB and non-CWB groups (OR, 5.4; P = .01 and OR, 10.9; P < .001, respectively). Moreover, proton significantly increased overall reconstruction failure. The 5-year local control rates were 95.3% and 97.7% for RTE and RTI, respectively (hazard ratio, 1.2; P = .7)., Conclusions: Early radiation to the expander before the exchange to implant significantly increased overall reconstruction failure without improving local control. Protons significantly increased capsular contracture rates and overall reconstruction failure leading to more revision surgeries., (Copyright © 2022 American Society for Radiation Oncology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Locally advanced breast cancer patients with expander or implant reconstructions who require comprehensive postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) can pose unique treatment planning challenges. Traditional 3D conformal radiation techniques often result in large dose inhomogeneity throughout the treatment volumes, inadequate target coverage, or excessive normal tissue doses. We have developed a volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) planning technique without entering through the ipsilateral arm that produced adequate target volume coverage, excellent homogeneity throughout the target volume, and acceptable doses to the normal structures. Twenty left-sided and 10 right-sided patients with either ipsilateral or bilateral permanent implants or tissue expanders who received comprehensive PMRT between October 2014 and February 2016 were included in this study. Ten left-sided cases used deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) technique, and others used free breathing (FB). Planning target volume (PTV) included chestwall, internal mammary nodes (IMNs), supraclavicular, and axillary lymph nodes. A VMAT plan using 4 or 5 partial arcs with 6 MV photon beam avoiding entering through the ipsilateral arm was generated for each patient. Prescription dose was 50 Gy in 25 fractions. PTV coverage, maximum depth of IMNs, dose homogeneity and dose to the heart, lungs, thyroid, contralateral intact breast or implant, liver, stomach, left anterior descending artery, ipsilateral brachial plexus, esophagus, spinal cord, and total MU were evaluated. PTV D95% (Gy) was 49.6 ± 0.9, 48.7 ± 0.9, and 49.5 ± 1.1; PTV D05% (Gy) was 55.7 ± 0.6, 55.1 ± 1.4, and 55.0 ± 0.7; maximum depth of IMNs (cm) was 4.3 ± 0.9, 4.6 ± 1.1, and 4.9 ± 2.3; ipsilateral lung, V20Gy (%) was 29.0 ± 2.1, 28.8 ± 2.5, and 27.5 ± 3.4; heart mean dose (Gy) was 4.2 ± 0.4, 7.5 ± 1.1, and 6.6 ± 0.8 for right-sided FB, left-sided FB, and left-sided DIBH cases, respectively. D95% of IMNs all received 100% prescription dose. The maximum dose (Gy) to the left anterior descending artery was 33.8 ± 11.7 for left-sided FB and 31.4 ± 7.3 for left-sided DIBH. VMAT technique avoiding ipsilateral arm can produce acceptable clinical plans for locally advanced breast cancer patients with expander or implant reconstructions receiving comprehensive PMRT., (Copyright © 2018 American Association of Medical Dosimetrists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Despite dosimetric benefits of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in breast cancer patients with implant reconstruction receiving regional nodal irradiation (RNI), low dose to the thoracic structures remains a concern. Our goal was to report dosimetric effects of adding deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) to VMAT in left-sided breast cancer patients with tissue expander (TE)/permanent implant (PI) reconstruction receiving RNI., Methods: Ten consecutive breast cancer patients with unilateral or bilateral TE/PI reconstruction who were treated with a combination of VMAT and DIBH to the left reconstructed chest wall and regional nodes were prospectively identified. Free breathing (FB) and DIBH CT scans were acquired for each patient. VMAT plans for the same arc geometry were compared for FB versus DIBH. Prescription dose was 50 Gy in 25 fractions. Dosimetric differences were tested for statistical significance., Results: For comparable coverage and target dose homogeneity, the mean dose to the heart reduced on average by 2.9 Gy (8.2 to 5.3 Gy), with the addition of DIBH (p < 0.05). The maximum dose to the left anterior descending (LAD) artery was reduced by 9.9 Gy (p < 0.05), which related closely to the reduction in the maximum heart dose (9.4 Gy). V05 Gy to the heart, ipsilateral lung, contralateral lung and total lung (p < 0.05) decreased on average by 29.6%, 5.8%, 15.4% and 10.8% respectively. No significant differences were seen in the ipsilateral lung V20 Gy or mean dose as well as in the mean contralateral breast/implant dose. However, V04 Gy and V03 Gy of the contralateral breast/implant were respectively reduced by 13.2% and 18.3% using DIBH (p < 0.05)., Conclusion: Combination of VMAT and DIBH showed significant dosimetric gains for low dose to the heart, lungs and contralateral breast/implant. Not surprisingly, the mean and maximum dose to the heart and to the LAD were also reduced. DIBH should be considered with the use of VMAT in breast cancer patients with implant reconstructions receiving RNI.

Background  Immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) is often deferred, when postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) is anticipated, due to high complication rates. Nonetheless, because of robust data supporting improved health-related quality of life associated with reconstruction, physicians and patients may be more accepting of tradeoffs. The current study explores national trends of IBR utilization rates and methods in the setting of PMRT, using the National Cancer Database (NCDB). The study hypothesis is that prosthetic techniques have become the most common method of IBR in the setting of PMRT. Methods  NCDB was queried from 2004 to 2013 for women, who underwent mastectomy with or without IBR. Patients were grouped according to PMRT status. Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate odds of IBR in the setting of PMRT. Trend analyses were done for rates and methods of IBR using Poisson regression to determine incidence rate ratios (IRRs). Results  In multivariate analysis, radiated patients were 30% less likely to receive IBR ( p  < 0.05). The rate increase in IBR was greater in radiated compared with nonradiated patients (IRR: 1.12 vs. 1.09). Rates of reconstruction increased more so in radiated compared with nonradiated patients for both implants (IRR 1.15 vs. 1.11) and autologous techniques (IRR 1.08 vs. 1.06). Autologous reconstructions were more common in those receiving PMRT until 2005 ( p  < 0.05), with no predominant technique thereafter. Conclusion  Although IBR remains a relative contraindication, rates of IBR are increasing to a greater extent in patients receiving PMRT. Implants have surpassed autologous techniques as the most commonly used method of breast reconstruction in this setting., Competing Interests: Conference Presentation: Abstract of this study has been accepted for oral presentation at 33rd Annual Meeting of Northeastern Society of Plastic Surgeons Scheduled on October 14, 2016. Disclosure None of the authors reports a financial interest in any of the products, devices, or drugs mentioned in this manuscript., (Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.)

To determine if the presence of bilateral implants, in addition to other anatomic and treatment-related variables, affects coverage of the target volume and dose to the heart and lung in patients receiving postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT). A total of 197 consecutive women with breast cancer underwent mastectomy and immediate tissue expander (TE) placement, with or without exchange for a permanent implant (PI) before radiation therapy at our center. PMRT was delivered with 2 tangential beams + supraclavicular lymph node field (50Gy). Patients were grouped by implant number: 51% unilateral (100) and 49% bilateral (97). The planning target volume (PTV) (defined as implant + chest wall + nodes), heart, and ipsilateral lung were contoured and the following parameters were abstracted from dose-volume histogram (DVH) data: PTV D95% > 98%, Lung V20Gy > 30%, and Heart V25Gy > 5%. Univariate (UVA) and multivariate analyses (MVA) were performed to determine the association of variables with these parameters. The 2 groups were well balanced for implant type and volume, internal mammary node (IMN) treatment, and laterality. In the entire cohort, 90% had PTV D95% > 98%, indicating excellent coverage of the chest wall. Of the patients, 27% had high lung doses (V20Gy > 30%) and 16% had high heart doses (V25Gy > 5%). No significant factors were associated with suboptimal PTV coverage. On MVA, IMN treatment was found to be highly associated with high lung and heart doses (both p < 0.0001), but implant number was not (p = 0.54). In patients with bilateral implants, IMN treatment was the only predictor of dose to the contralateral implant (p = 0.001). In conclusion, bilateral implants do not compromise coverage of the target volume or increase lung and heart dose in patients receiving PMRT. The most important predictor of high lung and heart doses in patients with implant-based reconstruction, whether unilateral or bilateral, is treatment of the IMNs. Refinement of radiation techniques in reconstructed patients who require comprehensive nodal irradiation is warranted., (Copyright © 2014 American Association of Medical Dosimetrists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To assess the impact of immediate breast reconstruction on postmastectomy radiation (PMRT) using dose-volume histogram (DVH) data., Methods and Materials: Two hundred forty-seven women underwent PMRT at our center, 196 with implant reconstruction and 51 without reconstruction. Patients with reconstruction were treated with tangential photons, and patients without reconstruction were treated with en-face electron fields and customized bolus. Twenty percent of patients received internal mammary node (IMN) treatment. The DVH data were compared between groups. Ipsilateral lung parameters included V20 (% volume receiving 20 Gy), V40 (% volume receiving 40 Gy), mean dose, and maximum dose. Heart parameters included V25 (% volume receiving 25 Gy), mean dose, and maximum dose. IMN coverage was assessed when applicable. Chest wall coverage was assessed in patients with reconstruction. Propensity-matched analysis adjusted for potential confounders of laterality and IMN treatment., Results: Reconstruction was associated with lower lung V20, mean dose, and maximum dose compared with no reconstruction (all P<.0001). These associations persisted on propensity-matched analysis (all P<.0001). Heart doses were similar between groups (P=NS). Ninety percent of patients with reconstruction had excellent chest wall coverage (D95 >98%). IMN coverage was superior in patients with reconstruction (D95 >92.0 vs 75.7%, P<.001). IMN treatment significantly increased lung and heart parameters in patients with reconstruction (all P<.05) but minimally affected those without reconstruction (all P>.05). Among IMN-treated patients, only lower lung V20 in those without reconstruction persisted (P=.022), and mean and maximum heart doses were higher than in patients without reconstruction (P=.006, P=.015, respectively)., Conclusions: Implant reconstruction does not compromise the technical quality of PMRT when the IMNs are untreated. Treatment technique, not reconstruction, is the primary determinant of target coverage and normal tissue doses., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

As the use of breast reconstruction and postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) has increased over the past decade, the typical approach to integrating radiotherapy with breast reconstruction has provoked intense controversy in the management of breast cancer. PMRT can lead to an increased frequency of complications in the reconstructed breast. Conversely, the reconstructed breast can increase the complexity of radiotherapy delivery. How to minimise the frequency of complications without compromising oncological or cosmetic outcomes of the reconstructed breast is an important shared multidisciplinary goal for oncologists and their patients. Several questions remain, however, regarding the type of reconstruction that should be used with PMRT, when reconstruction should be done relative to PMRT and whether radiotherapy treatment should be directed towards the tissue expander or the implant for women who opt for a two-stage expander-implant reconstruction. Following advances in the planning of radiotherapy treatment, new questions about the application of these technologies in the setting of breast reconstruction have arisen. In this Review, we address these questions by reviewing contemporary evidence on the optimal integration of radiotherapy and breast reconstruction in the management of breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the likelihood of requiring major corrective surgery (MCS) after modified radical mastectomy (MRM), immediate reconstruction and radiation therapy (RT) to the reconstructed breast. The study population consisted of 62 patients who underwent MRM and immediate breast reconstruction between 1990 and 1999, had postoperative radiation and at least one follow-up visit or procedure ≥2 months after radiation. Reconstruction consisted of a pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap in 42 patients, latissimus dorsi flap in five, latissimus dorsi plus implant in six, and implant alone in nine. Median follow-up time after reconstruction was 13 months (range: 2–58) for non-implant patients and 10 months (range: 4–57) for implant patients. The primary endpoint was the incidence of major complications requiring MCS. Ten patients (16%) underwent MCS between 1 and 28 months after radiation (median in these patients of 8 months). 4/47 non-implant patients (9%) underwent MCS, compared to 6/15 implant patients (40%). Of patients followed ≥6 months after RT, 0/38 non-implant patients underwent MCS within 6 months compared to 3/13 (23%) implant patients (p = 0.01); of patients followed for ≥12 months after RT, the rates of MCS within 12 months were 1/24 (4%) and 2/7 (29%), respectively (p = 0.12). Patients who undergo immediate reconstruction after mastectomy using an implant followed by radiation have a high rate of subsequent MCS. The difference in the rate of MCS between the implant and non-implant groups is significant in early follow-up. Patients considering an implant followed by RT should be apprised of this increased risk. Prospective studies of these risks and the cosmetic outcomes are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]