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.

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.

© Department of Radiotherapy, Ghent University Hospital

The abstract of the clinical article can be found here.