In support of the Choosing Wisely campaign: Perceived higher risk leads to unnecessary imaging in accelerated partial breast irradiation?

Abstract Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) is an increasingly utilized modality for early stage breast cancer as part of breast conservation therapy (BCT). There remains concern regarding local recurrence, requiring more frequent post‐radiation surveillance imaging. The purpose of this study is to determine clinical significance of frequent surveillance in this perceived higher risk population. Patients treated at a community academic medical center from 2005 to 2013 with partial breast radiation were retrospectively identified. All patients were treated with lumpectomy followed by balloon based APBI. Diagnostic, clinical, radiographic, and outcomes data were collected. One hundred and sixty‐nine patients were identified. Median age at time of diagnosis was 63. Stage was 0, I, and II in 27%, 64%, and 9%, respectively. Most patients had pure invasive ductal cancer. Ninety‐two percent and 99% of patients had imaging performed by 6 and 12 months (± 3 months) respectively. Median interval between end of radiation and first image, and subsequent 3 images were 6, 6, 9, and 12 months, respectively. Median follow‐up was 49 months for all patients (range 7‐106). Six patients experienced local recurrence: 4 invasive, all clinically detected, and none within the first 2 years. One patient had mammographically detected recurrent ductal carcinoma in situ. No mammographic images within the first year lead to diagnosis of recurrent cancer. APBI via balloon base brachy...
Source: The Breast Journal - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research