Pre-OPerative accelerated radiotherapy for early stage breast cancer patients (POPART)

Pre-operative 5-fraction breast radiotherapy followed by immediate breast-sparing surgery and sentinel node procedure was feasible in 14 patients with 15 clinical early-stage breast cancers. However wound problems occurred frequently and was documented in 5 of the 14 patients: 2 patients with a mastitis needing antibiotics, 2 patients developed a fistula with exudate needing antibiotics and local disinfection and 1 patient developed a fistula needing surgical reintervention. Other acute and late iatrogenic events were rather limited. Two patients had a pathological lymph node involvement, which underlines the importance to perform the sentinel node procedure before pre-operative radiotherapy.