Radiation oncology
Combined re-radiation therapy and regional or capacitive hyperthermia as a part of multimodal treatment for locoregional breast cancer recurrences in previously irradiated areas
By Kopp DH, Giovannelli AC, Mehrhof F and 9 others.
Abstract
Purpose
Hyperthermia (HT) enhances the effects of radiotherapy (RT) and has shown benefit in recurrent breast cancer. Most existing studies focus on conventional superficial HT, whereas the efficacy of regional hyperthermia (RHT) and capacitive hyperthermia (CHT) in previously irradiated areas remains underexplored.
Methods
Patients with locoregional breast cancer recurrences previously treated with RT were included in this retrospective analysis. Re-irradiation was delivered in combination with RHT or CHT and was integrated into an individualized multimodal treatment concept. HT was applied once or twice weekly immediate following RT, with temperature monitoring performed for RHT. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS) and toxicity.