Primary objective:
To evaluate whether the reconstruction complication rate at 24 months post radiation is non-inferior with hypofractionation.
Secondary objectives:
- To evaluate the incidence of acute and late radiation complications, based on Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) 4.0 toxicity.
- To evaluate the local and local regional recurrence rate. III. To compare reconstruction complication rates based on reconstruction method (autologous +/- implant versus [vs] implant only) and timing of reconstruction received (immediate vs. intent for delayed).
Inclusion Criteria:
- Histologically confirmed invasive carcinoma of the breast of any of the following histologies (ductal, lobular, mammary, medullary, or tubular); patients with metaplastic breast cancer are not eligible
- Patients will be staged according to the TNM staging system
- a) For patients not receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy, pathologic staging must be T0N1-2a, T1N1-2a, T2N1-2a, T3N0-2a, and all M0 status
- b) For patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy, clinical pre-chemo staging and post mastectomy pathological staging is required for all patients; patients who have received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and are pathologically cT0-2 and N0 are only eligible if biopsy-proven clinically N1 or N2 disease is documented prior to the start of neoadjuvant chemotherapy; cT3N0 patients or ypT3N0 patients who receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy may be eligible based on clinical or pathological T stage, and do not require pathologically positive lymph nodes
- c) Note: Higher of the clinical or pathological T and N stage are used for final staging, if receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy; all patients with clinical, radiographic or pathological T4, N3 or involved internal mammary disease (N1b, N1c, and N2b) are not eligible
- No prior therapeutic radiation therapy to the chest, neck or axilla; prior radioactive oral iodine is permitted
- No prior history of ipsilateral breast cancer (invasive disease or ductal breast carcinoma in situ [DCIS]); lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) and benign breast disease is allowed
- No history of prior or concurrent contralateral invasive breast cancer; benign breast disease, LCIS or DCIS of contralateral breast is allowed
- No active collagen vascular diseases, such as: systemic lupus erythematous, scleroderma, or dermatomyositis
- Negative inked histologic margins from mastectomy pathology (no invasive cells at margin)
- No significant post mastectomy complications in the ipsilateral breast requiring an unplanned re-operation or admission for intravenous (IV) antibiotics; re-operation for margins evaluation, nodal completion and routine reconstruction is acceptable
- Radiation oncologist intends to treat all target volumes and respect all normal tissues in accordance with the dosimetric constraints described (simulation before registration recommended)
- Radiation oncologist is planning to treat regional lymph nodes including internal mammary nodes and meet acceptable protocol dosimetric requirements
- Radiation oncologist is NOT planning to utilize a chest wall/scar boost
- Patient must have undergone immediate reconstruction at the time of mastectomy or be planning to undergo reconstruction within 18 months after radiation
- If a tissue expander is utilized it needs to be a fluid filled expander, NO air expander (unless completely deflated) during radiation therapy
- For patients with diabetes, hemoglobin A1C test must have been performed =< 90 days prior to registration
- No co-existing medical conditions with life expectancy < 5 years
- No other malignancy within 5 years of registration with the exception of basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin treated with local resection only or carcinoma in situ of the cervix
- Negative serum or urine beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in women of child-bearing potential =< 7 days prior to registration
- Women of child-bearing potential must agree to utilize a form of birth control or agree to undergo sexual abstinence during radiation therapy
- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) (Zubrod) performance status 0-1
- Patients must be able to read and comprehend English, in order to be able to complete study questionnaires; however, patients participating through Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) institutions who can read and comprehend French are eligible