title: Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation as an Alternative to Whole-Breast Irradiation in Breast-Conserving Therapy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer.
abstract: Breast-conserving therapy has been established as a standard treatment for women with early-stage breast cancer. Whole-breast irradiation has traditionally been utilized to consolidate local therapy following conservative surgery. Recently, the need for whole-breast irradiation after breast-conserving surgery has become controversial, with some investigators advocating accelerated partial breast irradiation as an alternative. Accelerated partial breast irradiation is delivered over a shorter period and only to a portion of the breast. This review will examine the emerging role of accelerated partial breast irradiation in the treatment of early-stage breast cancer and review the biologic rationale for, techniques of, and limitations of partial breast irradiation following breast-conserving surgery.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Surgical Oncology, Unit 444, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas, TX 77030, USA, Tel.: +1 713 745 5043; Fax: +1 713 792 4689; E-mail: hkuerer@mdanderson.org.
authors.forename: Timothy M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Pawlik
authors.affiliation: University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Surgical Oncology, Unit 444, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas, TX 77030, USA, Tel.: +1 713 745 5043; Fax: +1 713 792 4689; E-mail: hkuerer@mdanderson.org.
authors.forename: Henry M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Kuerer
keywords: MammoSite; accelerated irradiation; brachytherapy; breast cancer; breast conservation; surgery