Comparison of the therapeutic effects between IMRT and 3D-CRT in the treatment of postoperative breast cancer

ObjectiveTo compare the effects between intensity modulated radiotherapy(IMRT) and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy(3D-CRT) in the treatment of postoperative breast cancer.

MethodsOne hundred and twenty-two postoperative breast cancer patients were divided into the IMRT group and 3D-CRT group according to the random number table method(61 cases each group).The recurrence and metastasis after 1 year of operation were compared between two groups.The cosmetic effects and occurrence of acute radiation skin injury were compared between two groups.The levels of serum hormonesestradiol(E2) and progesterone(P) and tumor markerscarcinoembryonic antigen(CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 153(CA153) were compared between two groups before and after 5 weeks of radiotherapy.

ResultsAfter 1 year of operation, no recurrence or metastasis case occurred in two groups.The excellent rate of cosmetic effects in IMRT group was significantly higher than that in 3D-CRT group, and the incidence rate of acute radiation skin injury in IMRT group was lower than that in 3D-CRT group(P < 0.05).There was no statistical significance in the serum levels of E2 and P in two groups between before and after radiotherapy(P>0.05).After 5 weeks of radiotherapy, the serum levels of CA153 and CEA in two groups were lower than those before radiotherapy(P < 0.05), but the difference of which was not statistically signficant between two groups(P>0.05).

ConclusionsBoth IMRT and 3D-CRT have good effects on postoperative radiotherapy of breast cancer, but IMRT has more advantages in reducing skin damage and cosmetic effect, and positive significance in improving patients' quality of life.