A nested case-control study on radiation dose-response for cardiac events in breast cancer patients in Germany

Publication

A nested case-control study on radiation dose-response for cardiac events in breast cancer patients in Germany

Journal Paper/Review - Jun 9, 2022

Baaken Dan, Schmidberger Heinz, Blettner Maria, Wiegel Thomas, Bartkowiak Detlef, Renner Jona, Ghilescu Voica, Merz Thomas, Mose Stephan, Mayr Manfred, Wöckel Achim, Janni Wolfgang, Schwentner Lukas, Bekes Inga, Schmidt Marcus, Merzenich Hiltrud, Wollschläger Daniel

Citation

Baaken D, Schmidberger H, Blettner M, Wiegel T, Bartkowiak D, Renner J, Ghilescu V, Merz T, Mose S, Mayr M, Wöckel A, Janni W, Schwentner L, Bekes I, Schmidt M, Merzenich H, Wollschläger D. A nested case-control study on radiation dose-response for cardiac events in breast cancer patients in Germany. Breast 2022; 65:1-7.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Breast 2022; 65

Publication Date

Jun 9, 2022

Issn Electronic

1532-3080

Pages

1-7

Brief description/objective

BACKGROUND
Previous studies with the majority of breast cancer (BC) patients treated up to 2000 provided evidence that radiation dose to the heart from radiotherapy (RT) was linearly associated with increasing risk for long-term cardiac disease. RT techniques changed substantially over time. This study aimed to investigate the dose-dependent cardiac risk in German BC patients treated with more contemporary RT.

METHODS
In a cohort of 11,982 BC patients diagnosed in 1998-2008, we identified 494 women treated with 3D-conformal RT who subsequently developed a cardiac event. Within a nested case-control approach, these cases were matched to 988 controls. Controls were patients without a cardiac event after RT until the index date of the corresponding case. Separate multivariable conditional logistic regression models were used to assess the association of radiation to the complete heart and to the left anterior heart wall (LAHW) with cardiac events.

RESULTS
Mean dose to the heart for cases with left-sided BC was 4.27 Gy and 1.64 Gy for cases with right-sided BC. For controls, corresponding values were 4.31 Gy and 1.66 Gy, respectively. The odds ratio (OR) per 1 Gy increase in dose to the complete heart was 0.99 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.94-1.05, P = .72). The OR per 1 Gy increase in LAHW dose was 1.00 (95% CI: 0.98-1.01, P = .68).

CONCLUSIONS
Contrary to previous studies, our study provided no evidence that radiation dose to the heart from 3D-conformal RT for BC patients treated between 1998 and 2008 was associated with risk of cardiac events.