Whole breast radiotherapy is beneficial for most women with invasive breast cancer treated with breast conservation therapy. Many studies have utilized "conventionally fractionated" schedules that deliver therapy over 5 to 6 weeks, often followed by 1 to 2 weeks of boost therapy. However, more recent evidence (including a major study from Canada) has demonstrated equivalent tumor control and cosmetic outcome in specific patient populations with shorter courses of therapy (approximately 3 to 4 weeks). Patients and their physicians should review these options to determine the most appropriate course of therapy.

Conditions: Breast Cancer, Malignancy, Tumor

Treatments: Breast Radiotherapy, Radiation

Sources

• Clarke M, Collins R, Darby S, et al. Effects of radiotherapy and of differences in the extent of surgery for early breast cancer on local recurrence and 15-year survival: an overview of the randomised trials. Lancet. Dec 17 2005;366(9503):2087-2106. (PubMed)
• Darby S, McGale P, Correa C, et al. Effect of radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery on 10-year recurrence and 15-year breast cancer death: meta-analysis of individual patient data for 10,801 women in 17 randomised trials. Lancet. Nov 12 2011;378(9804):1707-1716. (PubMed)
• Smith BD, Bentzen SM, Correa CR, et al. Fractionation for whole breast irradiation: an American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) evidence-based guideline. Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. Sep 1 2011;81(1):59-68. (PubMed)
• Whelan TJ, Pignol JP, Levine MN, et al. Long-term results of hypofractionated radiation therapy for breast cancer. N. Engl. J. Med. Feb 11 2010;362(6):513-520. (PubMed)