Postoperative Re-irradiaTion With and Without HYPERthermia, or Surgery Only: Toxicity, Quality of Life and Survival in Patients With Locoregional Recurrent Breast Cancer

In the Netherlands, breast cancer patients with locoregional recurrence (LRR) and intermediate- and high-risk factors are treated with surgery with or without postoperative re-irradiation with or without hyperthermia. Retrospective studies showed that 3-year locoregional control after postoperative re-irradiation with hyperthermia was 68-83%, and severe toxicity in up to 40% of LRR patients. Unfortunately, no prospective (randomized) data are available on clinical outcomes. Consequently, variation exists in hyperthermia-treatment and re-irradiation schedules. Prospective real-world data on oncological outcomes, toxicity and quality of life is highly needed for shared decision-making between patients and professionals. These data will be used in the design of a future randomized trial in high-risk LRR patients.