A multi-institutional analysis of intraoperative radiotherapy for early breast cancer: Does age matter?

Background: Single-session intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) minimizes treatment demands associated with traditional whole breast radiation therapy (WBRT) but outcomes on local disease control and morbidity among the elderly is limited.

Methods: A multi-institutional retrospective registry was established from 19 centers utilizing IORT from 2007 to 2013. Patient, tumor, and treatment variables were analyzed for ages <70 and ≥70.

Results: We evaluated 686 patients (<70 = 424; ≥70 = 262) who were margin and lymph node negative. Patients <70 were more likely to have longer operative time, oncoplastic closure, higher rates of IORT used as planned boost, and receive chemotherapy and post-operative WBRT. Wound complication rates were low and not significantly different between age groups. Median follow-up was 1.06 (range 0.51-1.9) years for < 70 and 1.01 (range 0.5-1.68) years for ≥ 70. There were 5 (0.73%) breast recurrences (4 in <70 and 1 ≥ 70, p = 0.65) and no axillary recurrences during follow-up.

Conclusions: IORT was associated with a low rate of wound complication and local recurrence on short-term follow-up in this cohort.