Accelerated partial breast irradiation: where do we stand?
Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) is a new form of postlumpectomy radiotherapy delivered over 1 to 5 days. Early trials showed high local recurrence rates. More recent single and multiinstitutional studies, as well as a single phase III trial, have shown local control more comparable to whole breast radiotherapy. Patient selection and surgical technique are important variables preparatory to irradiation, which is delivered using 1 of 4 accelerated radiotherapy methods. Phase I/II studies have produced most of the information currently available regarding APBI. Additional phase III studies are underway to determine whether any or all of these accelerated radiotherapy approaches may safely substitute for whole breast radiotherapy in women seeking breast conservation.
Dirbas
Frederick M
FM
Stanford Cancer Center and Department of Surgery, Section of Surgical Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. dirbas@stanford.edu
D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000379:methods*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D002404:Catheterization; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome