Abstract P3-12-24: Accelerated partial breast irradiation versus whole breast irradiation: short term quality of life results from a phase 3 trial
Authors: Meattini I , Miccinesi G , Saieva C , Desideri I , Di Brina L , Francolini G , Scotti V , De Luca Cardillo C , Livi L 
Published: May 2016

Introduction. Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) represents a valid option for selected early breast cancer (BC); potential advantages of APBI include shorter treatment time, improved safety profile, and a cost reduction compared with standard fractionation. We recently published the 5-years results of a phase 3 randomized trial (NCT02104895), showing a very low rate of disease failure. A significant impact on patients compliance in terms of acute and late toxicity was shown. The purpose of the present analysis is to compare the quality of life (QoL) of women with BC treated with either APBI or whole breast irradiation (WBI).

Methods. Eligible patients were women aged more than 40 years with early BC suitable for breast conserving surgery. At the end of radiotherapy, patients were asked to compile the EORTC QLQ-C30 as a reliable and valid measure for cancer patients in multicultural clinical research settings, and the BR23 module as a supplementary questionnaire for issues relevant to patients with BC. Overall 205 patients (105 APBI and 100 WBI) fully completed the given questionnaires.

Results. The scores of the functional and symptom scales of QLQ-C30 are reported in Table 1 and Table 2, respectively. Significant differences between the two arms emerged by global health status (p=0.0001) and most functional and symptom scales, with better outcomes in the APBI arm. Women treated with APBI reported a significantly better QoL in terms of physical, role, emotional and social functioning. We also found in the APBI arm better outcomes in term of symptoms (fatigue, pain, dyspnoea, insomnia, appetite loss).

Concerning the functional and symptom scales of BR23 module, the body image perception and the future perspective were significantly better in the APBI group; no significant difference emerged for sexual functioning. Significant differences emerged also for symptom scales (breast and arm symptoms), with better scores for APBI group.

Conclusion. Overall, women treated with APBI reported a significantly better short-term QoL outcome as compared with women treated using WBI.

QLQ-C30 functional scale scores in the series: difference between arms and p-value from Mann Whitney U testDomainAPBISDWBISDScore Differencep-valueQL2, mean66.418.849.718.1+16.70.0001PF2, mean86.215.277.717.3+8.50.0001RF2, mean88.519.276.821.6+11.70.0001EF, mean78.617.666.324.3+12.30.0001CF, mean86.818.281.717.8+5.10.014SF, mean88.919.482.319.5+6.60.003QL2, global health status; PF2, physical functioning; RF2, role functioning; EF, emotional functioning; CF, cognitive functioning; SF, social functioning

QLQ-C30 symptom scale scores in the series: difference between arms and p-value from Mann Whitney U testDomainAPBISDWBISDScore Differencep-valueFA, mean21.618.735.821.2-14.20.0001NV, mean5.29.68.011.2-2.80.047PA, mean13.219.323.719.6-10.50.0001DY, mean12.421.320.323.6-7.90.006SL, mean19.724.828.725.1-9.00.004AP, mean5.713.420.024.2-14.30.0001CO, mean13.020.420.723.6-7.70.01DI, mean4.814.95.014.5-0.20.88FI, mean14.931.08.014.3+6.90.67FA, fatigue; NV, nausea-vomiting; PA, pain; DY, dyspnoea; SL, insomnia; AP, appetite loss; CO, constipation; DI, diarrhoea; FI, financial difficulties

Citation Format: Meattini I, Miccinesi G, Saieva C, Desideri I, Di Brina L, Francolini G, Scotti V, De Luca Cardillo C, Livi L. Accelerated partial breast irradiation versus whole breast irradiation: short term quality of life results from a phase 3 trial. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-12-24.