An Integrated Optimization of Surgery and Radiotherapy Techniques to Improve Cosmetic Outcome and Quality of Life in Breast Conserving Therapy for Breast Cancer Patients (STARLINGS Study)

An Integrated Optimization of Surgery and Radiotherapy Techniques to Improve Cosmetic Outcome and Quality of Life in Breast Conserving Therapy for Breast Cancer Patients.

Status

Completed

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Observational

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT05263362

Acronym

STARLINGS

Enrollment

775

Registered

2022-03-02

Start date

2022-04-11

Completion date

2024-09-20

Last updated

2026-04-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer Female, Breast Carcinoma, Breast Carcinoma in Situ, Breast Fibrosis, Breast Neoplasms

Keywords

Fibrosis, Cosmetic outcome, Quality of life, Oncoplastic breast surgery, Radiotherapy

Brief summary

To assess the role of different combinations of (oncoplastic) surgery and radiotherapy techniques as risk factors for moderate to severe fibrosis and for moderate to poor cosmetic outcome.

Detailed description

The primary objectives of this study are to assess the role of different combinations of (oncoplastic) surgery and radiotherapy techniques as risk factors for moderate to severe fibrosis and for moderate to poor cosmetic outcome. Based on these insights predictive models for the development of moderate to severe fibrosis and moderate to poor cosmetic outcome will be developed. Second, the relation between the presence and severity of fibrosis, cosmetic outcome and different QoL domains and symptoms will be assessed.

Interventions

OTHERno intervention

At one timepoint patients will get physical examination of the breasts, medical photographs will be taken, and they will fill in five questionnaires about satisfaction of the breasts, quality of life and general health.

Study design

Observational model

COHORT

Time perspective

OTHER

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

FEMALE

Age

18 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* Female patients aged ≥ 18 years * History of BCT with adjuvant radiation therapy for non-metastatic, histologically proven invasive breast cancer or DCIS. In light of BCT adjuvant systemic treatment (i.e. endocrine therapy, chemotherapy and immune therapy) is allowed. * Operated between 1st of January 2016 and 31th of December 2020 * Treated according to the currently applied dose fractionation schedules, i.e. whole breast radiotherapy (22, 23), with or without boost * Adequate understanding of the Dutch language and written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

* Any breast surgery or re-irradiation on the breast area after BCT * Progression of disease (and additional treatment) since BCT * Patients who received partial breast irradiation * Current pregnancy or breast feeding

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Fibrosis of the breast as measured by CTCAE v5 scale	2-6 years after breast conserving treatment. 1 point of measurement.	Fibrosis will be graded by the researcher using the CTCAE v5 scale. On the CTCAE scale of superficial soft tissue fibrosis: Grade 0 = no fibrosis, Grade 1 = mild induration, able to move skin parallel to plane (sliding) and perpendicular to skin (pinching up), Grade 2 = Moderate induration, able to slide skin, unable to pinch skin; limiting instrumental ADL, Grade 3 = Severe induration; unable to slide or pinch skin; limiting joint or orifice movement (e.g., mouth, anus); limiting self care ADL, Grade 4 = Generalized; associated with signs or symptoms of impaired breathing or feeding, Grade 5 = Death. We are planning to score fibrosis of the breast as none/mild (grade 0-1) or moderate/severe (grade 2-3).
Cosmetic outcome as measured by 9-item questionnaire	2-6 years after breast conserving treatment. 1 point of measurement.	Cosmetic outcome will be evaluated by means of a 9-item cosmetic patient questionnaire filled out by the patient with scoring on a four point scale (range from 'excellent' to 'poor' per item).
Cosmetic outcome as measured by BCCT.core software	2-6 years after breast conserving treatment. 1 point of measurement.	Patients' photographs of the breasts will be taken. With the use of BCCT.core software from The Breast Research group (INESC TEC, the Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto) cosmetic outcome will be assessed.

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Quality of life, as measured by BREAST-Q	2-6 years after breast conserving treatment. 1 point of measurement.	Which includes the following domains: psychosocial well being, sexual well being, satisfaction with the breasts, physical well being, adverse effects of radiation. All domains are scored 0 to 100 points, higher points means a better outcome.
Quality of life, as measured by EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaires-C30	2-6 years after breast conserving treatment. 1 point of measurement.	Which include functional domains, global health status and symptom scales. For functional domains and global health status, scores range from 0 to 100. Higher scores means a better level of functioning. For symptoms scales, scores range from 0 to 100. Higher scores represent a greater degree of symptoms.
Quality of life, as measured by EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaires-B23	2-6 years after breast conserving treatment. 1 point of measurement.	Which include functional domains, global health status and symptom scales. For functional domains and global health status, scores range from 0 to 100. Higher scores means a better level of functioning. For symptoms scales, scores range from 0 to 100. Higher scores represent a greater degree of symptoms.
Quality of life, as measured by EQ-5D-5L - five dimensions	2-6 years after breast conserving treatment. 1 point of measurement.	The EQ-5D-5L include five questions about five dimensions: mobility, self-care, daily activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression. For each dimension, participants choose one of five levels that best fits their health on that day (from 'no problem'= 1 to 'unable/extreme'= 5). The numbers chosen for the five dimensions are combined to give a 5 digit score (minimum score = 11111 maximum score = 55555).
Quality of life, as measured by EQ-5D-5L - VAS	2-6 years after breast conserving treatment. 1 point of measurement.	The EQ-5D-5L include, apart from the five questions about five dimensions (see above), a visual analogue scale (VAS). The VAS provides rating of the participant's health on a scale from 0 ('the worst health you can imagine') to 100 ('the best health you can imagine').

Countries

Netherlands

Contacts

STUDY_DIRECTORR.A. Nout, Professor

Erasmus Medical Center

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORE.A.M. Froklage, MD, PhD