Shortened radiation therapy schedules for early-stage breast cancer: a review of hypofractionated whole-breast irradiation and accelerated partial breast irradiation.
Breast-conserving therapy consisting of segmental mastectomy followed by whole-breast irradiation (WBI) has become widely accepted as an alternative to mastectomy as a treatment for women with early-stage breast cancer. WBI is typically delivered over the course of 5-6 weeks to the whole breast. Hypofractionated whole-breast irradiation and accelerated partial breast irradiation have developed as alternative radiation techniques for select patients with favorable early-stage breast cancer. These radiation regimens allow for greater patient convenience and the potential for decreased health care costs. We review here the scientific rationale behind delivering a shorter course of radiation therapy using these distinct treatment regimens in this setting as well as an overview of the published data and pending trials comparing these alternative treatment regimens to WBI.
Department of Radiation Oncology, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
Simona F
SF
Shaitelman
Atif J
AJ
Khan
Wendy A
WA
Woodward
Douglas W
DW
Arthur
Laurie W
LW
Cuttino
Elizabeth S
ES
Bloom
Chirag
C
Shah
Gary M
GM
Freedman
John B
JB
Wilkinson
Gildy V
GV
Babiera
Thomas B
TB
Julian
Frank A
FA
Vicini
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
accelerated partial breast irradiation; breast cancer; hypofractionation; radiation