Better looking breasts with IMRT

This study investigated the cosmetic benefits of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) compared to standard radiotherapy for the treatment of breast cancer.

Radiation therapy is commonly used to treat breast cancer. It is often used following surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells and prevent recurrence of the cancer. However, since radiation therapy also damages healthy tissue surrounding the tumor, complications may appear, even years after treatment. These complications may include breast fibrosis (where the breast becomes less elastic due to scarring), breast shrinkage, inflammation, swelling and telangiectasia (the appearance of small dilated blood vessels). New radiation techniques are known to reduce the harmful effects of treatment on the surrounding healthy tissue. One of these techniques is called intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). However, very few clinical studies have directly compared the long term effects of different radiation treatments on breast esthetics.

This study compared the cosmetic outcomes 5 years after treatment with IMRT or standard radiotherapy. 815 women treated with breast conserving surgery (removal of the tumor without removal of the entire breast) were assigned to receive either standard radiotherapy or IMRT.

Results showed that the overall appearance of the breast was significantly improved in women treated with IMRT. 85% of women treated with IMRT showed little or no telangiectasia 5 years following treatments, compared to only 76% of women receiving standard radiotherapy. Good cosmetic appearance of the breast was seen in 37% of women receiving standard radiotherapy, compared to 43% of women treated with IMRT. Poor cosmetic appearance was seen in 22% of women receiving standard radiotherapy, compared to 12% of women treated with IMRT.

These results confirm that IMRT is superior to standard radiotherapy at preserving an esthetic appearance of the breast following radiation treatments.

Ask your physician about the different radiotherapy techniques used in the treatment of breast cancer following surgery.