title: Radiation options for early stage breast cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the current radiation therapy options for early stage breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Research literature and review articles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With 20 years of clinical data supporting the efficacy of whole breast radiotherapy after lumpectomy for early stage breast cancer, the attention has shifted to an even more conservative approach, namely partial breast irradiation following lumpectomy. A number of large clinical trials in North America and Europe are currently enrolling patients for the evaluation of several different techniques, including interstitial brachytherapy, the Mammosite device, 3-dimensional conformal external radiation therapy, and intraoperative radiotherapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiation oncology nurses can significantly impact the coordination of services and the education of patients who enroll in these important clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: University of Florida, Shands Cancer Center Breast Center, Gainesville, FL 32610-0383, USA. mooregj@shands.ufl.edu
authors.forename: Giselle J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Moore-Higgs
mesh_terms: D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000379:methods; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental / Q000379:methods; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D018787:Radiation Oncology / Q000379:methods*; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000379:methods