title: Accelerated intensity-modulated external radiotherapy as a new technical approach to treat the index quadrant after conserving surgery in early breast cancer: a preliminary study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We present a novel technical approach to treat the index quadrant after conserving surgery in patients with early breast cancer and study its clinical feasibility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients selected for the study, after breast conserving surgery with histologically verified breast carcinoma, signed a full informed consent to intensity-modulated external radiotherapy of the partial breast. Treatment was performed with the 6 MV beam from one of the Elekta Precise LINAC units installed in our Department. The prescribed dose was 30 Gy in 5 fractions in 10 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Acute toxicity was minimal. No skin changes were noted during treatment or during the first 6 months after radiotherapy treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Accelerated partial breast irradiation using intensity-modulated external radiotherapy is technically feasible. We think the approach will give good results in terms of local control, toxicity and quality of life, at the same time sparing resources for the patient and health care system.
authors.affiliation: Radiotherapy Department, Florence University, Florence, Italy. l.livi@dfc.unifi.it
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Livi
authors.forename: Fabiola
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Paiar
authors.forename: Fabrizio Banci
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Buonamici
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scoccianti
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Meldolesi
authors.forename: Vieri
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Scotti
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bastiani
authors.forename: Carla Deluca
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Cardillo
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Detti
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fondelli
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Simontacchi
authors.forename: Raffaello
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mungai
authors.forename: Serenella
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: Valiano
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mungai
authors.forename: Gianpaolo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Biti
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000379:methods