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Study: hypofractionated whole breast irradiation for patients with large breasts: comparing prone and supine positions

The university hospital in Gent, Belgium has compared the acute toxicity of whole breast irradiation in both the supine and the prone position (Mulliez T et al. Hypofractionated whole breast irradiation for patients with large breasts: a randomized trial comparing prone and supine positions. Radiother Oncol (2013)). The test was performed on 100 patients. All the patients in the prone position were treated on the Orfit AIO Prone Breast Solution that was especially modified for them. Cushions have been added to the AIO Prone Breast solution to place the patient in a tilted position so that the ipsi-lateral breast falls deeper into the cut-out. A unilateral breast holder was used to pull the contra-lateral breast away from the treatment field.

Prone Breast Treatment AIO

The study has proven that whole breast irradiation in the prone position on the AIO Solution gives improved results. The prone treatment results in:

  • Improved dose coverage
  • Created better homogeneity
  • Had less volumes of over-dosage
  • Reduced acute skin desquamation
  • Had a lower incidence of dermatitis, edema, pruritus and pain
  • Had a lower ipsi-lateral lung dose
  • Etc.
Prone Breast Treatment AIO2

© Department of Radiotherapy, Ghent University Hospital

Patient set-up devices for prone CT-simulation and treatment: (A) Unilateral Unilateral breast holder to retract the contra-lateral breast away from the treated breast. (B) Prone breast board: 1: hand grip; 2: head rest; 3: carbon fiber wedge support of the contra-lateral breast; 4: numeric scale (at both sides of the caudal part) to adjust table height using the in-room laser system; 5: safety belt. (C) Ipsilateral (left panel) and contralateral (right panel) views of a patient positioned on the breast board. 

The abstract of the clinical article can be found here.

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