Evaluation of concurrent adjuvant chemotherapy paclitaxel and radiotherapy in breast conserving management of early breast cancer

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the commonest malignancy affecting women. Today, Breast conserving surgery (BCS) plus radiation therapy is the standard treatment for early Breast Cancer as a loco-regional treatment modality. BCS provides much better cosmetic effect, compared to radical treatments; it provides the same level of overall survival as seen in patients treated with mastectomy. The proper sequence of delivering chemotherapy and radiotherapy is not established yet. Current standard treatment sequence is chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy.
Aim: Assess tolerability of patients by following up acute side effects associated with concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Assess cosmetic outcome.
Methods: This prospective study was carried in Clinical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Department in Zagazig University Hospitals. It included 18 patients with early breast cancer, operated with BCS then received 4 cycles AC then received Whole breast radiotherapy concurrent with paclitaxel. Results: Patients in this study found the concurrent administration of paclitaxel with whole-breast irradiation to be tolerable, all patients completing the treatment protocol. Overall acute toxicity is absent in 88.9 % of patients with only mild skin reaction, mild GIT symptoms and accepted cardiac and pulmonary evaluation. Also, cosmoses were good and acceptable by patients with 88.9 % of patients found that the cosmetic outcome is good
Conclusion: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with paclitaxel is a good option for patients with early-stage breast cancer as it delivers optimum protocol of treatment with shortening of overall time of treatment with acceptable and tolerable side effects and good cosmoses.