Impact of dose fractionation regimen of adjuvant radiotherapy on cosmetic outcomes after immediate breast reconstruction

Background. Evidence for the safety of using the hypofractionation (HF) regimen after immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) in patients with breast cancer is not well documented. The purpose of the study was a retrospective analysis of surgical treatment with IBR and postoperative radiation therapy (RT) in conventional fractionated (CF) and hypofractionated (HF) regimens in breast cancer patients. Material and Methods. A retrospective analysis of treatment outcomes was carried out in 219 breast cancer patients who underwent mastectomy with IBR using permanent implant or tissue expander. All patients received postoperative RT: 97 received CF RT (22-25 fractions of 2 Gy) and 122 HF RT (15-16 fractions of 2.66-2.7 Gy). Cosmetic complications were represented by reconstructive failure (RF). All patients underwent an analysis of the incidence of reconstructive failures (RF) or capsular contracture (CC) (Baker III-IV).