Does interstitial HDR brachytherapy for breast cancer increase soft tissue fibrosis?

SummaryAimTo analyze the physical parameters of interstitial HDR brachytherapy and their influence on the risk of soft tissue fibrosis.Materials/MethodsA retrospective analysis of 54 breast cancer patients treated between 1994–1999 in the Brachytherapy Department of the Oncological Centre in Bydgoszcz was performed. Minimum follow up period was 41 months and the maximum was 89 months. The mean follow up period was 65 months. Owing to statiscally significant differences between the groups, when compared to a normal distribution, the U Mann-Whitney non-parametrical test was used as the method for comparison.ResultsOut of the nine parameters analysed, three were found to be associated with increased risk of fibrosis occurrence. Reference volumes V100, V150 and V200 showed statistically significant differences (p