Onkologie. 2013:7(5):228-231

Novel approaches in adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer

Renata Soumarová

Oddělení radioterapie a onkologie, Komplexní onkologické centrum, Nemocnice Nový Jičín a.s.

Adjuvant radiotherapy is an integral part of partial mastectomy, a fact which is supported by a number of randomized studies. This strategy

provides local control and survival comparable to radical mastectomy. Radiotherapy reduces the five-year risk of local recurrence

approximately by threefold. In the case of partial resection, postoperative radiotherapy is always indicated and the standard duration

is 5–6.5 weeks. Recently, an increasing number of papers on a possible acceleration of the regimen, i.e. reduction in the total time of

irradiation treatment, have emerged. Randomized studies show that even a three-week regimen can be adequate without increasing

the adverse effects of irradiation treatment. Accelerated partial breast irradiation, for which a variety of radiotherapeutic methods can

be used, is a major topic, too. In some cases, it is also possible to utilize novel techniques of radiotherapy. Each of the methods has

advantages and disadvantages, with the most important issue still being the right choice of patients.

Keywords: accelerated radiotherapy, hypofractionated radiotherapy, partial breast irradiation, IMRT technique, breath holding

Published: November 1, 2013  Show citation