RESUMO
PURPOSE: To compare in a prospective trial the acute skin reaction and late cosmetic effects of normal fractionation versus hypofractionation radiotherapy after breast conserving surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with T 1-2N0M0 breast cancer who underwent breast conserving surgery (BCS) were included in the study. Half of the patients received whole breast irradiation, consisting of 50 Gy/25f/5w+boost 10Gy/5f/1w to tumor bed (group A). The other half received 42.5Gy/16f/22 days (group B). The two groups were comparable otherwise. Early skin reaction and late cosmetic results were graded according to RTOG guidelines. RESULTS: The study showed no statistical significant difference between the two treatment groups as regards acute skin reactions and cosmetic appearance. However, the maximum skin reaction occurred 2 weeks earlier for patients within group B (3rd week) compared to group A (5th week). Apart from breast volume, there was no significant correlation between any of the patients or tumor factors and the incidence of acute skin reactions in either group of patients. Patients with large breast volume >1100cc had a higher rate and a longer duration of maximum skin reaction in group A (4 weeks versus 2 weeks in patients with small breast volume
