Cancer Treat Res Commun. 2026 Feb 4;47:101126. doi: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2026.101126. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The treatment of early-stage breast cancer in adolescent and young adult (AYA) women (≤40 years old) is challenging due to aggressive disease biology and concerns about long-term toxicity. This study evaluated the clinical outcomes and safety of whole-breast irradiation with a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) in AYA patients following breast-conserving surgery.
METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 64 AYA breast cancer patients treated at Taichung Veterans General Hospital between 2010 and 2019. All patients underwent breast-conserving surgery followed by radiotherapy using either hybrid IMRT plus VMAT (n= 55) or IMRT alone (n= 9) with SIB. We assessed overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), local recurrence, and treatment-related complications.
RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 86.5 months (IQR: 70.25-121.75; maximum: 173 months), the 144-month OS rate was 88%, with DFS and DMFS rates of 83% and 87%, respectively. The local recurrence rate was 4.68% (3 of 64 patients), with all recurrences occurring within the first 5 years. Distant metastasis occurred in 5 patients (7.8%). Triple-negative breast cancer prevalence was 18.75%. No cardiac-related deaths or cardiovascular events were observed.
CONCLUSIONS: Whole-breast irradiation with SIB using contemporary techniques demonstrated favorable long-term disease control and cardiac safety in AYA patients. These findings support the feasibility and safety of SIB in this population, though comparative studies are needed.
PMID:41687193 | DOI:10.1016/j.ctarc.2026.101126