Accelerated partial breast irradiation: an advanced form of hypofractionation.
Altered fractionation schedules are being increasingly investigated in the treatment of breast cancer. Two such schedules that are frequently compared are hypofractionated external beam radiation therapy (HERT) and accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI). Though these two modalities are considered separately, APBI is an actually an advanced form of hypofractionation, where acceleration of the treatment is possible due to the smaller volume being irradiated. HERT as well as APBI are investigational at present and are being tested in randomized trials. This article looks at the advantages of APBI as a hypofractionation schedule.
Budrukkar
Ashwini
A
Department of Radiation Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel, Mumbai - 400 012, India. ashwininb@yahoo.com
D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000379:methods; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography