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An Integrated Optimization of Surgery and Radiotherapy Techniques to Improve Cosmetic Outcome and Quality of Life in Breast Conserving Therapy for Breast Cancer Patients (STARLINGS Study)

Conditions
Breast Carcinoma in Situ
Breast Cancer Female
Breast Fibrosis
Breast Neoplasms
Breast Carcinoma
Breast Cancer
Interventions
Other: no intervention
Registration Number
NCT05263362
Lead Sponsor
Erasmus Medical Center
Brief Summary

To assess the role of different combinations of (oncoplastic) surgery and radiotherapy techniques as risk factors for moderate to severe fibrosis and for moderate to poor cosmetic outcome.

Detailed Description

The primary objectives of this study are to assess the role of different combinations of (oncoplastic) surgery and radiotherapy techniques as risk factors for moderate to severe fibrosis and for moderate to poor cosmetic outcome. Based on these insights predictive models for the development of moderate to severe fibrosis and moderate to poor cosmetic outcome will be developed. Second, the relation between the presence and severity of fibrosis, cosmetic outcome and different QoL domains and symptoms will be assessed.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
750
Inclusion Criteria
  • Female patients aged ≥ 18 years
  • History of BCT with adjuvant radiation therapy for non-metastatic, histologically proven invasive breast cancer or DCIS. In light of BCT adjuvant systemic treatment (i.e. endocrine therapy, chemotherapy and immune therapy) is allowed.
  • Operated between 1st of January 2016 and 31th of December 2020
  • Treated according to the currently applied dose fractionation schedules, i.e. whole breast radiotherapy (22, 23), with or without boost
  • Adequate understanding of the Dutch language and written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria
  • Any breast surgery or re-irradiation on the breast area after BCT
  • Progression of disease (and additional treatment) since BCT
  • Patients who received partial breast irradiation
  • Current pregnancy or breast feeding

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
STARLINGS study populationno interventionThe study population consists of breast cancer patients who were treated with breast conserving therapy (BCT) at one of the four participating hospitals (Erasmus MC, Albert Schweitzer hospital, Maasstad hospital and Franciscus hospital Gasthuis and Vlietland), for non-metastatic, histological proven invasive breast cancer or DCIS between 2016 and 2020 (at time of inclusion in 2022 respectively 6 to 2 years after treatment), and subsequently received adjuvant (whole breast) irradiation (WBI), with or without boost, at the Erasmus MC as part of their BCT.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Cosmetic outcome as measured by 9-item questionnaire2-6 years after breast conserving treatment. 1 point of measurement.

Cosmetic outcome will be evaluated by means of a 9-item cosmetic patient questionnaire filled out by the patient with scoring on a four point scale (range from 'excellent' to 'poor' per item).

Cosmetic outcome as measured by BCCT.core software2-6 years after breast conserving treatment. 1 point of measurement.

Patients' photographs of the breasts will be taken. With the use of BCCT.core software from The Breast Research group (INESC TEC, the Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto) cosmetic outcome will be assessed.

Fibrosis of the breast as measured by CTCAE v5 scale2-6 years after breast conserving treatment. 1 point of measurement.

Fibrosis will be graded by the researcher using the CTCAE v5 scale.

On the CTCAE scale of superficial soft tissue fibrosis:

Grade 0 = no fibrosis, Grade 1 = mild induration, able to move skin parallel to plane (sliding) and perpendicular to skin (pinching up), Grade 2 = Moderate induration, able to slide skin, unable to pinch skin; limiting instrumental ADL, Grade 3 = Severe induration; unable to slide or pinch skin; limiting joint or orifice movement (e.g., mouth, anus); limiting self care ADL, Grade 4 = Generalized; associated with signs or symptoms of impaired breathing or feeding, Grade 5 = Death.

We are planning to score fibrosis of the breast as none/mild (grade 0-1) or moderate/severe (grade 2-3).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Quality of life, as measured by EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaires-C302-6 years after breast conserving treatment. 1 point of measurement.

Which include functional domains, global health status and symptom scales.

For functional domains and global health status, scores range from 0 to 100. Higher scores means a better level of functioning. For symptoms scales, scores range from 0 to 100. Higher scores represent a greater degree of symptoms.

Quality of life, as measured by EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaires-B232-6 years after breast conserving treatment. 1 point of measurement.

Which include functional domains, global health status and symptom scales.

For functional domains and global health status, scores range from 0 to 100. Higher scores means a better level of functioning. For symptoms scales, scores range from 0 to 100. Higher scores represent a greater degree of symptoms.

Quality of life, as measured by BREAST-Q2-6 years after breast conserving treatment. 1 point of measurement.

Which includes the following domains: psychosocial well being, sexual well being, satisfaction with the breasts, physical well being, adverse effects of radiation.

All domains are scored 0 to 100 points, higher points means a better outcome.

Quality of life, as measured by EQ-5D-5L - VAS2-6 years after breast conserving treatment. 1 point of measurement.

The EQ-5D-5L include, apart from the five questions about five dimensions (see above), a visual analogue scale (VAS).

The VAS provides rating of the participant's health on a scale from 0 ('the worst health you can imagine') to 100 ('the best health you can imagine').

Quality of life, as measured by EQ-5D-5L - five dimensions2-6 years after breast conserving treatment. 1 point of measurement.

The EQ-5D-5L include five questions about five dimensions: mobility, self-care, daily activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression.

For each dimension, participants choose one of five levels that best fits their health on that day (from 'no problem'= 1 to 'unable/extreme'= 5). The numbers chosen for the five dimensions are combined to give a 5 digit score (minimum score = 11111 maximum score = 55555).

Trial Locations

Locations (3)

Maasstad hospital

🇳🇱

Rotterdam, Netherlands

Franciscus Gasthuis & Vlietland

🇳🇱

Schiedam, Netherlands

Erasmus Medical Center

🇳🇱

Rotterdam, Netherlands

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