Prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) in high-risk breast cancer patients: Preliminary data

11501 Background: The rationale behind PCI is to control or eradicate undetectable micro-metastases without inducing severe adverse effects. In this study we assessed the effect of PCI in high-risk breast cancer patients. Methods: 62 consecutive patients, with high-risk breast cancer were enrolled in this trial and were randomized into 2 arms: Arm 1 included 31 patients who didn’t receive PCI. Arm 2 included 31 patients who received PCI. In arm 2, PCI was given after finishing the adjuvant treatment and before starting hormone therapy if indicated. The whole brain received 2.4 Gy per fraction, to a total dose of 24 Gy. MRI to the brain was part of the neurological assessment of the 62 patients included prior to adjuvant treatment, 6 months in the first year, and then annually. Neuro-cognitive Functions (NCF) were evaluated basically prior to and then 6 months and 1 year after PCI using Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE). Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Brain (FACT-Br) Questionnaire has been applied to ...