Updates in the Treatment of Breast Cancer with Radiotherapy

Abstract

Breast-conserving therapy is one of the most remarkable achievements of modern cancer care. The authors review the evidence supporting the role of adjuvant radiotherapy as the standard of care for breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery, consensus guidelines for margins in invasive cancer disease and ductal carcinoma in situ, the role of partial-breast irradiation and hypofractionated whole-breast irradiation, and the evolving indications for postmastectomy radiation therapy and extent of nodal coverage. Areas of research include specific methods of partial-breast irradiation, interactions between neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and integration of molecular profiles with the selection of the best treatment modality and timing.

Keywords: Accelerated partial-breast irradiation; Breast cancer; Breast neoplasms; Hypofractionated whole-breast irradiation; Intensity-modulated radiotherapy; Radiotherapy; Toxicity.