Charlotte Coles (Oncology and Cambridge Cancer Centre) and researchers at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London, have published the five-year follow up of patient reported outcomes from the IMPORT LOW trial in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The trial, which recruited over 2,000 women aged 50 or over, who had breast conserving surgery for invasive ductal adenocarcinoma, found that partial breast radiotherapy limits side effects and is just as effective as whole breast radiotherapy for low risk early stage breast cancer.
 
This is the largest and most comprehensive study of patient reported outcomes in any partial breast radiotherapy study to date. Most side effects reduced over time and patients experienced fewer side effects with partial breast radiotherapy.
 
Dr Coles said: “Over half of all patients had no moderate/marked side effects at 5 years. We can use some baseline factors to predict for side effect reporting and this will help shared decision making and management of breast radiotherapy for future patients.”