Impact of Concurrent Radiotherapy on Chemotherapy Total Dose and Dose Intensity in Patients with Early Breast Cancer

Aims and background A retrospective analysis was conducted to evaluate the tolerability as well as the impact of concurrent adjuvant CMF chemotherapy and radiation therapy on total CMF dose and dose intensity.Methods The medical records of 59 patients who had received conservative or radical surgery for breast cancer were analyzed. All patients had been assigned to 6 cycles of “1,8 CMF” adjuvant chemotherapy and concomitant radiation therapy. Total drug dose and dose intensity were calculated. Toxicity was recorded scored according to WHO criteria.Results A total of 355 cycles was administered. Fifty of 59 patients received at least 85% of the programmed chemotherapy total dose, the median value being 100% (range, 42-100). The median relative dose intensity was 0.97 (range, 0.42-1.01). Forty-four of 59 (75%) patients experienced grade 3-4 neutropenia (20 febrile neutropenia) and 29 (49%) required G-CSF support.Conclusions This retrospective analysis showed that it is possible to give concurrent CMF and breast radiation while ensuring adequate chemotherapy total doses and dose intensities to most patients. However, G-CSF support is required in a significant proportion of patients.