Prediction of pathologic complete response after single-dose MR-guided partial breast irradiation in low-risk breast cancer patients: the ABLATIVE-2 trial-a study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Partial breast irradiation (PBI) is standard of care in low-risk breast cancer patients after breast-conserving surgery (BCS). Pre-operative PBI can result in tumor downstaging and more precise target definition possibly resulting in less treatment-related toxicity. This study aims to assess the pathologic complete response (pCR) rate one year after MR-guided single-dose pre-operative PBI in low-risk breast cancer patients. METHODS: The ABLATIVE-2 trial is a multicenter prospective single-arm trial using single-dose ablative PBI in low-risk breast cancer patients. Patients ≥ 50 years with non-lobular invasive breast cancer ≤ 2 cm, grade 1 or 2, estrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative, and tumor-negative sentinel node procedure are eligible. A total of 100 patients will be enrolled. PBI treatment planning will be performed using a radiotherapy planning CT and -MRI in treatment position. The treatment delivery will take place on a conventional or MR-guided linear accelerator. The prescribed radiotherapy dose is a single dose of 20 Gy to the tumor, and 15 Gy to the 2 cm of breast tissue surrounding the tumor. Follow-up MRIs, scheduled at baseline, 2 weeks, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after PBI, are combined with liquid biopsies to identify biomarkers for pCR prediction. BCS will be performed 12 months after radiotherapy or after 6 months, if MRI does not show a radiologic complete response. The primary endpoint is the pCR rate after PBI. Secondary endpoints are radiologic response, toxicity, quality of life, cosmetic outcome, patient distress, oncological outcomes, and the evaluation of biomarkers in liquid biopsies and tumor tissue. Patients will be followed up to 10 years after radiation therapy. DISCUSSION: This trial will investigate the pathological tumor response after pre-operative single-dose PBI after 12 months in patients with low-risk breast cancer. In comparison with previous trial outcomes, a longer interval between PBI and BCS of 12 months is expected to increase the pCR rate of 42% after 6-8 months. In addition, response monitoring using MRI and biomarkers will help to predict pCR. Accurate pCR prediction will allow omission of surgery in future patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered prospectively on April 28th 2022 at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05350722).

Sexual Functioning and Relationship Satisfaction of Partners of Breast Cancer Survivors Who Receive Internet-Based Sex Therapy.

As part of a larger, randomized controlled trial, we evaluated longitudinally the sexual functioning and relationship satisfaction of 69 partners of breast cancer (BC) survivors who received Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for sexual dysfunction. The findings suggest that Internet-based CBT positively affects the partners' immediate post-CBT and longer-term overall sexual satisfaction, sexual intimacy, and sexual relationship satisfaction. No sustained changes in other areas of sexual functioning were observed. Our CBT program was focused primarily on the sexual health of the BC survivors. We recommend that future programs include more psychoeducational and behavioral elements targeted at the partners.

Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Realizes Long-Term Improvement in the Sexual Functioning and Body Image of Breast Cancer Survivors.

The study aim was to evaluate the long-term efficacy of Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for sexual dysfunctions in 84 breast cancer survivors. The positive effects of the intervention on overall sexual functioning, sexual desire, sexual arousal, vaginal lubrication, discomfort during sex, sexual distress, and body image observed immediately posttreatment were maintained at three- and nine-month follow-ups. Although sexual pleasure decreased during follow-up, it did not return to baseline levels. Our findings provide evidence that Internet-based CBT has a sustained, positive effect on sexual functioning and body image of breast cancer survivors with a sexual dysfunction.

All eyes on the patient: the influence of oncologists' nonverbal communication on breast cancer patients' trust.

Trust in the oncologist is crucial for breast cancer patients. It reduces worry, enhances decision making, and stimulates adherence. Optimal nonverbal communication by the oncologist, particularly eye contact, body posture, and smiling, presumably benefits patients' trust. We were the first to experimentally examine (1) how the oncologist's nonverbal behavior influences trust, and (2) individual differences in breast cancer patients' trust. Analogue patients (APs) viewed one out of eight versions of a video vignette displaying a consultation about chemotherapy treatment. All eight versions varied only in the oncologist's amount of eye contact (consistent vs. inconsistent), body posture (forward leaning vs. varying), and smiling (occasional smiling vs. no smiling). Primary outcome was trust in the observed oncologist (Trust in Oncologist Scale). 214 APs participated. Consistent eye contact led to stronger trust (ß = -.13, p = .04). This effect was largely explained by lower educated patients, for whom the effect of consistent eye contact was stronger than for higher educated patients (ß = .18, p = .01). A forward leaning body posture did not influence trust, nor did smiling. However, if the oncologist smiled more, he was perceived as more friendly (rs = .31, p < .001) and caring (rs = .18, p = .01). Older (ß = .17, p = .01) and lower educated APs (ß = -.25, p < .001) were more trusting. Trust was weaker for more avoidantly attached APs (ß = -.16, p = .03). We experimentally demonstrated the importance of maintaining consistent eye contact for breast cancer patients' trust, especially among lower educated patients. These findings need to be translated into training for oncologists in how to optimize their nonverbal communication with breast cancer patients while simultaneously managing increased time pressure and computer use during the consultation.

Corrigendum to "Harmonization of breast cancer radiotherapy treatment planning in the Netherlands" [Tech. Innov. Patient Support Radiat. Oncol. 19 (2021) 26-32].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.tipsro.2021.06.004.].

Active surveillance versus treatment in low-risk DCIS: Women's preferences in the LORD-trial.

BACKGROUND: Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) can progress to invasive breast cancer (IBC), but most DCIS lesions remain indolent. However, guidelines recommend surgery, often supplemented by radiotherapy. This implies overtreatment of indolent DCIS. The non-randomised patient preference LORD-trial tests whether active surveillance (AS) for low-risk DCIS is safe, by giving women with low-risk DCIS a choice between AS and conventional treatment (CT). Here, we aim to describe how participants are distributed among both trial arms, identify their motives for their preference, and assess factors associated with their choice. METHODS: Data were extracted from baseline questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the distribution and characteristics of participants; thematic analyses to extract self-reported reasons for the choice of trial arm, and multivariable logistic regression analyses to investigate associations between patient characteristics and chosen trial arm. RESULTS: Of 377 women included, 76% chose AS and 24% CT. Most frequently cited reasons for AS were "treatment is not (yet) necessary" (59%) and trust in the AS-plan (39%). Reasons for CT were cancer worry (51%) and perceived certainty (29%). Women opting for AS more often had lower educational levels (OR 0.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.22-0.93) and more often reported experiencing shared decision making (OR 2.71; 95% CI, 1.37-5.37) than women choosing CT. CONCLUSION: The LORD-trial is the first to offer women with low-risk DCIS a choice between CT and AS. Most women opted for AS and reported high levels of trust in the safety of AS. Their preferences highlight the necessity to establish the safety of AS for low-risk DCIS.

Oncoplastic Breast Conserving Surgery: Is There a Need for Standardization? Results of a Nationwide Survey.

Introduction: The NABON Breast Cancer Audit showed that more than 70% of the Dutch women undergoing surgery for breast cancer maintained their breast contour by breast-conserving surgery (BCS) or by immediate reconstruction after ablative surgery. The proportion of oncoplastic surgery applied in patients undergoing breast-conserving treatment remains unknown. The aim of our study was to assess the need for standardization of oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery (OPBCS) in an attempt to enable measurement of the quality of OPBCS. Methods: To gain a better understanding of current practice in OPBCS, we sent a questionnaire to all breast surgeons in The Netherlands who are members of the breast surgery working group (n = 134). Results: A total of 60 breast surgeons, representing different hospitals in The Netherlands, responded. 61.7% of the breast surgeons performed BCS on 60-100% of their patients. 68.3% responded that BCS was performed using OPS techniques in up to 40% of their patients. OPBCS was defined as level I volume displacement by 45.2% of the breast surgeons and as BCS performed by a breast surgeon and plastic surgeon together by 32.3% of the breast surgeons. 94.5% indicated that there is a need for standardization of the definition of OPBCS in The Netherlands. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that OPBCS is a major part of daily clinical practice of Dutch breast surgeons treating BC patients. Despite this, there is no clear definition of OPS in breast-conserving treatment in The Netherlands. Only after standardization can a classification code and quality indicator be initiated for OPBCS. Ultimately, this will facilitate improvement in quality of BC care.

Patterns of care over 10 years in young breast cancer patients in the Netherlands, a nationwide population-based study.

INTRODUCTION: Each year, around 600 young (<40 years) breast cancer (BC) patients are registered in the national NABON Breast Cancer Audit (NBCA). The aim of this study is to compare patient and treatment characteristics of young and older age BC patients over time with a focus on outcome of quality indicators (QIs). Furthermore, we analysed whether de-escalation trends of treatment can be recognized to the same degree in both patient groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From October 2011 to October 2020 all patients treated for stage I-III invasive BC were included. Tumour characteristics, treatment variables and outcome of QIs of two age categories young (<40 years) and older patient (≥40 years) were analysed. RESULTS: In total 114,700 patients were included: 4.6% young patients and 95.4% older patients. Young patients more often presented with a palpable mass, higher stage, and triple-negative BC. Overall, young patients more often started with neoadjuvant systemic treatment (NST) (54.3% vs. 18.6%) and a greater proportion of the young patients retained their breast contour after surgery (73.5% vs. 69.3%). De-escalation trends such as decrease in axillary lymph node dissections and in the use of boost were observed. The omission of radiation treatment after breast conserving surgery was only observed in older patients. CONCLUSION: Although this study shows that young women more often present with unfavourable tumours, therapeutic procedures are performed with a higher adherence to the QIs than for older patients and young women do benefit from some de-escalation trends to the same extend as older patients.

Transparency in quality of radiotherapy for breast cancer in the Netherlands: a national registration of radiotherapy-parameters.

BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy (RT) is part of the curative treatment of approximately 70% of breast cancer (BC) patients. Wide practice variation has been reported in RT dose, fractionation and its treatment planning for BC. To decrease this practice variation, it is essential to first gain insight into the current variation in RT treatment between institutes. This paper describes the development of the NABON Breast Cancer Audit-Radiotherapy (NBCA-R), a structural nationwide registry of BC RT data of all BC patients treated with at least surgery and RT. METHODS: A working group consisting of representatives of the BC Platform of the Dutch Radiotherapy Society selected a set of dose volume parameters deemed to be surrogate outcome parameters, both for tumour control and toxicity. Two pilot studies were carried out in six RT institutes. In the first pilot study, data were manually entered into a secured web-based system. In the second pilot study, an automatic Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) RT upload module was created and tested. RESULTS: The NBCA-R dataset was created by selecting RT parameters describing given dose, target volumes, coverage and homogeneity, and dose to organs at risk (OAR). Entering the data was made mandatory for all Dutch RT departments. In the first pilot study (N = 1093), quite some variation was already detected. Application of partial breast irradiation varied from 0 to 17% between the 6 institutes and boost to the tumour bed from 26.5 to 70.2%. For patients treated to the left breast or chest wall only, the average mean heart dose (MHD) varied from 0.80 to 1.82 Gy; for patients treated to the breast/chest wall only, the average mean lung dose (MLD) varied from 2.06 to 3.3 Gy. In the second pilot study 6 departments implemented the DICOM-RT upload module in daily practice. Anonymised data will be available for researchers via a FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) framework. CONCLUSIONS: We have developed a set of RT parameters and implemented registration for all Dutch BC patients. With the use of an automated upload module registration burden will be minimized. Based on the data in the NBCA-R analyses of the practice variation will be done, with the ultimate aim to improve quality of BC RT. Trial registration Retrospectively registered.

Harmonization of breast cancer radiotherapy treatment planning in the Netherlands.

PURPOSE: The aim was to reach consensus in The Netherlands on which parameters should be used to evaluate breast cancer radiotherapy (RT) plans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A Benchmark Case with delineated planning target volumes (PTVs) and Organs At Risk (OARs) was sent to all Dutch radiotherapy centres in combination with a questionnaire, with the request to generate RT plans prescribing 15 times 2.67 Gy for four different treatment indications according to the institutional irradiation technique. The plans and accompanying questionnaire answers were analysed using descriptive statistics. These results, together with a harmonisation proposal, were sent to all centres. The proposal was discussed at a meeting of the Dutch Society of Radiation Oncology breast cancer platform. Distinct parameters were accepted if consensus on them was reached. RESULTS: 19 out of 20 Dutch departments participated in this study. PTV coverage varied considerably, with D98% between 63% and 99% for the breast and between 37% and 97% for the internal mammary nodes (IMN). Also substantial OAR dose differences were observed, with e.g. mean heart doses ranging between 1.85 Gy and 5.42 Gy in case the IMN were included in the PTV. For evaluation of the PTVs D98%, D2% and Dmean were chosen to report on, with target values of ≥ 95% (90% for the PTV_IMN), ≤ 107%, and 99-101%, respectively. For OARs, consensus was reached on the parameters to be evaluated, without target values: Dmean of the heart, Dmean and V5% of the lungs, and in case of periclavicular radiotherapy V30Gy of the thyroid gland. For patients younger than 40 years a contralateral mean breast dose of ≤ 1 Gy was agreed upon. CONCLUSION: A new Dutch consensus guideline for evaluation of breast cancer RT plans has been established.

Efficacy of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Treatment-Induced Menopausal Symptoms in Breast Cancer Survivors: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the effect of Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT), with or without therapist support, on the perceived impact of hot flushes and night sweats (HF/NS) and overall levels of menopausal symptoms (primary outcomes), sleep quality, HF/NS frequency, sexual functioning, psychological distress, and health-related quality of life in breast cancer survivors with treatment-induced menopausal symptoms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We randomly assigned 254 breast cancer survivors to a therapist-guided or a self-managed iCBT group or to a waiting list control group. The 6-week iCBT program included psycho-education, behavior monitoring, and cognitive restructuring. Questionnaires were administered at baseline and at 10 weeks and 24 weeks postrandomization. We used mixed-effects models to compare the intervention groups with the control group over time. Significance was set at P < .01. An effect size (ES) of .20 was considered small, .50 moderate and clinically significant, and .80 large. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the guided and self-managed iCBT groups reported a significant decrease in the perceived impact of HF/NS (ES, .63 and .56, respectively; both P < .001) and improvement in sleep quality (ES, .57 and .41; both P < .001). The guided group also reported significant improvement in overall levels of menopausal symptoms (ES, .33; P = .003), and NS frequency (ES, .64; P < .001). At longer-term follow-up (24 weeks), the effects remained significant, with a smaller ES for the guided group on perceived impact of HF/NS and sleep quality and for the self-managed group on overall levels of menopausal symptoms. Additional longer-term effects for both intervention groups were found for hot flush frequency. CONCLUSION: iCBT, with or without therapist support, has clinically significant, salutary effects on the perceived impact and frequency of HF/NS, overall levels of menopausal symptoms, and sleep quality.

Efficacy of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Improving Sexual Functioning of Breast Cancer Survivors: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose We evaluated the effect of Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on sexual functioning and relationship intimacy (primary outcomes) and body image, menopausal symptoms, marital functioning, psychological distress, and health-related quality of life (secondary outcomes) in breast cancer survivors (BCSs) with a DSM-IV diagnosis of a sexual dysfunction. Patients and Methods We randomly assigned 169 BCSs to either Internet-based CBT or a waiting-list control group. The CBT consisted of weekly therapist-guided sessions, with a maximum duration of 24 weeks. Self-report questionnaires were completed by the intervention group at baseline (T0), midtherapy (T1), and post-therapy (T2) and at equivalent times by the control group. We used a mixed-effect modeling approach to compare the groups over time. Results Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed a significant improvement over time in overall sexual functioning (effect size for T2 [EST2] = .43; P = .031), which was reflected in an increase in sexual desire (EST1 = .48 and EST2 = .72; P < .001), sexual arousal (EST2 = .50; P = .008), and vaginal lubrication (EST2 = .46; P = .013). The intervention group reported more improvement over time in sexual pleasure (EST1 = .32 and EST2 = .62; P = .001), less discomfort during sex (EST1 = .49 and EST2 = .66; P = .001), and less sexual distress (EST2 = .59; P = .002) compared with the control group. The intervention group reported greater improvement in body image (EST2 = .45; P = .009) and fewer menopausal symptoms (EST1 = .39; P = .007) than the control group. No significant effects were observed for orgasmic function, sexual satisfaction, intercourse frequency, relationship intimacy, marital functioning, psychological distress, or health-related quality of life. Conclusion Internet-based CBT has salutary effects on sexual functioning, body image, and menopausal symptoms in BCSs with a sexual dysfunction.

Optimal Patient Positioning (Prone Versus Supine) for VMAT in Gynecologic Cancer: A Dosimetric Study on the Effect of Different Margins.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE: It is unknown whether the historically found dosimetric advantages of treating gynecologic cancer with the patient in a prone position with use of a small-bowel displacement device (belly-board) remain when volumetric arc therapy (VMAT) is used and whether these advantages depend on the necessary margin between clinical target volume (CTV) and planning target volume (PTV). The aim of this study is to determine the best patient position (prone or supine) in terms of sparing organs at risk (OAR) for various CTV-to-PTV margins and VMAT dose delivery. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In an institutional review board-approved study, 26 patients with gynecologic cancer scheduled for primary (9) or postoperative (17) radiation therapy were scanned in a prone position on a belly-board and in a supine position on the same day. The primary tumor CTV, nodal CTV, bladder, bowel, and rectum were delineated on both scans. The PTVs were created each with a different margin for the primary tumor and nodal CTV. The VMAT plans were generated with our in-house system for automated treatment planning. For all margin combinations, the supine and prone plans were compared with consideration of all OAR dose-volume parameters but with highest priority given to bowel cavity V45Gy (cm(3)). RESULTS: For both groups, the prone position reduced the bowel cavity V45Gy, in particular for nodal margins ≥10 mm (ΔV45Gy = 23.9 ± 10.6 cm(3)). However, for smaller margins, the advantage was much less pronounced (ΔV45Gy = 6.5 ± 3.0 cm(3)) and did not reach statistical significance. The rectum mean dose (Dmean) was significantly lower (ΔDmean = 2.5 ± 0.3 Gy) in the prone position for both patient groups and for all margins, and the bladder Dmean was significantly lower in the supine position (ΔDmean = 2.6 ± 0.4 Gy) only for the postoperative group. The advantage of the prone position was not present if it needed a larger margin than the supine position. CONCLUSION: For patients with gynecologic cancer, the historically found dosimetric advantages for the prone position remain for modern dose delivery techniques if large margins are needed. However, the advantage is lost for small margins and if the prone position needs a larger margin than the supine position.

Salvage treatment for local or local-regional recurrence after initial breast conservation treatment with radiation for ductal carcinoma in situ.

The present study evaluated the outcome of salvage treatment for women with local or local-regional recurrence after initial breast conservation treatment with radiation for mammographically detected ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS; intraductal carcinoma) of the breast. The study cohort consisted of 90 women with local only first failure (n=85) or local-regional only first failure (n=5). The histology at the time of recurrence was invasive carcinoma for 53 patients (59%), non-invasive carcinoma for 34 patients (38%), angiosarcoma for one patient (1%), and unknown for two patients (2%). The median follow-up after salvage treatment was 5.5 years (mean=5.8 years; range=0.2-14.2 years). The 10-year rates of overall survival, cause-specific survival, and freedom from distant metastases after salvage treatment were 83%, 95%, and 91%, respectively. Adverse prognostic factors for the development of subsequent distant metastases after salvage treatment were invasive histology of the local recurrence and pathologically positive axillary lymph nodes. These results demonstrate that local and local-regional recurrences can be salvaged with high rates of survival and freedom from distant metastases. Close follow-up after initial breast conservation treatment with radiation is warranted for the early detection of potentially salvageable local and local-regional recurrences.

Postoperative brachytherapy for endometrial cancer using a ring applicator.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the rate of vaginal, pelvic, and distant failures and acute toxicity after postoperative vaginal vault brachytherapy (VBT) delivered by a ring applicator in women with high intermediate-risk endometrial cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 100 patients were treated with VBT after a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for a Stage IA or IB (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2009) intermediate-risk endometrial cancer; 26 patients received 30-Gy low-dose-rate, 74 patients received 28-Gy pulsed-dose-rate brachytherapy. RESULTS: At a median followup of 37 months (range, 1-107), 6 (6%) patients showed failures. Three patients developed an in-field recurrence in the vaginal vault: 1 was isolate, whereas the other 2 showed simultaneous pelvic and/or distant failure. A fourth patient developed an out-of-field recurrence in the posterior vaginal wall of the proximal half of the vagina, including pelvic and distant failure. Two other patients showed only distant failure. The estimated 3-year actuarial rate of any vaginal recurrence was 2.6% (95% confidence interval, 0-6.3%). The 5-year overall survival was 84%, similar to that in the female Dutch population matched for age and date of diagnosis. The acute side effects were low, consisting mainly of the occurrence of temporary diarrhea (2%). CONCLUSION: Postoperative VBT by a ring applicator results in a low recurrence risk, survival rates comparable with the normal female population, and a very low risk of acute morbidity.

Feasibility of a prospective, randomised, open-label, international multicentre, phase III, non-inferiority trial to assess the safety of active surveillance for low risk ductal carcinoma in situ - The LORD study.

BACKGROUND: The current debate on overdiagnosis and overtreatment of screen-detected ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) urges the need for prospective studies to address this issue. A substantial number of DCIS lesions will never form a health hazard, particularly if it concerns non- to slow-growing low-grade DCIS. The LORD study aims to evaluate the safety of active surveillance in women with low-risk DCIS. DESIGN: This is a randomised, international multicentre, open-label, phase III non-inferiority trial, led by the Dutch Breast Cancer Research Group (BOOG 2014-04) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC-BCG 1401). Standard treatment will be compared to active surveillance in 1240 women aged ⩾ 45 years with asymptomatic, screen-detected, pure low-grade DCIS based on vacuum-assisted biopsies of microcalcifications only. Both study arms will be monitored with annual digital mammography for a period of 10 years. The primary end-point is 10-year ipsilateral invasive breast cancer free percentage. Secondary end-points include patient reported outcomes, diagnostic biopsy rate during follow-up, ipsilateral mastectomy rate and translational research. FEASIBILITY: To explore interest in and feasibility of the LORD study we conducted a survey among EORTC and BOOG centres. A vast majority of EORTC and BOOG responding centres expressed interest in participation in the LORD study. The proposed study design is endorsed by nearly all centres.

Breast-conserving treatment with or without radiotherapy in ductal carcinoma In Situ: 15-year recurrence rates and outcome after a recurrence, from the EORTC 10853 randomized phase III trial.

PURPOSE: Adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) after a local excision (LE) for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) aims at reduction of the incidence of a local recurrence (LR). We analyzed the long-term risk on developing LR and its impact on survival after local treatment for DCIS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1986 and 1996, 1,010 women with complete LE of DCIS less than 5 cm were randomly assigned to no further treatment (LE group, n = 503) or RT (LE+RT group, n = 507). The median follow-up time was 15.8 years. RESULTS: Radiotherapy reduced the risk of any LR by 48% (hazard ratio [HR], 0.52; 95% CI, 0.40 to 0.68; P < .001). The 15-year LR-free rate was 69% in the LE group, which was increased to 82% in the LE+RT group. The 15-year invasive LR-free rate was 84% in the LE group and 90% in the LE+RT group (HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.42 to 0.87). The differences in LR in both arms did not lead to differences in breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS; HR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.60 to 1.91) or overall survival (OS; HR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.71 to 1.44). Patients with invasive LR had a significantly worse BCSS (HR, 17.66; 95% CI, 8.86 to 35.18) and OS (HR, 5.17; 95% CI, 3.09 to 8.66) compared with those who did not experience recurrence. A lower overall salvage mastectomy rate after LR was observed in the LE+RT group than in the LE group (13% v 19%, respectively). CONCLUSION: At 15 years, almost one in three nonirradiated women developed an LR after LE for DCIS. RT reduced this risk by a factor of 2. Although women who developed an invasive recurrence had worse survival, the long-term prognosis was good and independent of the given treatment.

Efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy and physical exercise in alleviating treatment-induced menopausal symptoms in patients with breast cancer: results of a randomized, controlled, multicenter trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), physical exercise (PE), and of these two interventions combined (CBT/PE) on menopausal symptoms (primary outcome), body image, sexual functioning, psychological well-being, and health-related quality of life (secondary outcomes) in patients with breast cancer experiencing treatment-induced menopause. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with breast cancer reporting treatment-induced menopausal symptoms (N=422) were randomly assigned to CBT (n=109), PE (n=104), CBT/PE (n=106), or to a waiting list control group (n=103). Self-report questionnaires were completed at baseline, 12 weeks, and 6 months. Multilevel procedures were used to compare the intervention groups with the control group over time. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the intervention groups had a significant decrease in levels of endocrine symptoms (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Endocrine Symptoms; P<.001; effect size, 0.31-0.52) and urinary symptoms (Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Questionnaire; P=.002; effect size, 0.29-0.33), and they showed an improvement in physical functioning (36-Item Short Form Health Survey physical functioning subscale; P=.002; effect size, 0.37-0.46). The groups that included CBT also showed a significant decrease in the perceived burden of hot flashes and night sweats (problem rating scale of the Hot Flush Rating Scale; P<.001; effect size, 0.39-0.56) and an increase in sexual activity (Sexual Activity Questionnaire habit subscale; P=.027; effect size, 0.65). Most of these effects were observed at both the 12-week and 6-month follow-ups. CONCLUSION: CBT and PE can have salutary effects on endocrine symptoms and, to a lesser degree, on sexuality and physical functioning of patients with breast cancer experiencing treatment-induced menopause. Future work is needed to improve the design and the planning of these interventions to improve program adherence.

Local and systemic outcomes in DCIS based on tumor and patient characteristics: the radiation oncologist's perspective.

Four randomized clinical trials have shown unanimously the benefit of 50 Gy whole-breast radiotherapy in breast-conserving therapy (BCT) for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The risk of both DCIS and invasive local recurrence is reduced with about 50%, and this effect is similar for all clinical and histological subgroups analyzed. Younger age and involved margin status are the most important factors for an increased risk of local recurrence. In these subgroups, even with radiotherapy, the observed local recurrence rates are more than 20% at 10 years, which is considerably higher than reported local recurrence rates after BCT for invasive breast cancer. The optimal radiotherapy dose in BCT for DCIS has yet to be established. Also, at present, a subgroup of lesions in which the recurrence rate is so low that radiotherapy can be safely omitted has not yet been identified.

[Partial breast irradiation (PBI): the therapy of the future?]. / Partiële borstbestraling: een nieuwe toekomst?

Breast-conserving therapy with radiation therapy of 50 Gy over 5 weeks to the entire breast plus a tumour bed boost is the standard treatment for patients with early stage breast cancer. Several attempts have been made to lower the treatment burden, such as omitting either all radiotherapy or the tumour bed boost, without success. Phase III trials are now being carried out to evaluate the treatment of the primary tumour area only (PBI). Various methods for selection of patient groups and of delivering the radiation dose have been employed. Vaidya et al. report the same favourable local recurrence rates following PBI with single dose intraoperative radiotherapy as with whole-breast irradiation. As the follow-up period so far has been short, long-time results should be awaited.