Factors associated with local failure after stereotactic radiation to the surgical bed of patients with a single breast cancer metastasis

TL;DR

This study examines factors affecting local control after surgery and radiation for brain metastases from breast cancer, finding that HER2 positivity and timely treatment improve outcomes.

Contribution

Identifies HER2 status, radiation dose, and treatment timing as key factors influencing local control in postoperative stereotactic radiotherapy for brain metastases.

Findings

HER2-positive tumors were associated with improved local control.

Higher biologically effective dose and timely SRT improved outcomes.

Larger tumor size and delayed SRT were linked to worse local control.

Abstract

Breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM) are increasingly common due to improved systemic therapies prolonging survival. This study evaluates local control and factors influencing outcomes in patients with resected BCBM treated with postoperative stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT).

A retrospective review included single resected BCBM treated with postoperative SRT from 2010 to 2022. The median follow-up was 28 months (range, 14–43). Variables analyzed included tumor size, biology, surgical corridor inclusion, radiation dose, and timing of SRT. Multivariable analysis was conducted using Cox regression.

62 patients were analyzed in multivariable analysis, HER2-positive status was associated with improved local control (HR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.36–0.88, p = 0.032), as was a higher biologically effective dose (BED > 40 Gy, HR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.45–0.89, p = 0.028). In contrast, tumor size > 5 cm (HR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.7–4.6, p = 0.021) and delayed initiation of SRT beyond 28 days post-surgery (HR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.9–4.7, p = 0.015) were associated with worse outcomes. Age, cystic metastases, inclusion of surgical corridor, and tumor location were not significantly related to local control. Radiation necrosis occurred in 13% of patients, predominantly asymptomatic.

Postoperative SRT provides effective local control in resected BCBM. In multivariable analysis, HER2 positivity, higher BED, and timely SRT significantly influenced outcomes, while larger tumor size and delayed treatment were negative prognostic factors. Future research should optimize dosimetric strategies and integrate systemic therapy to improve local and intracranial control.

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