Abstract
Irradiation following lumpectomy has been the standard of care for breast conservation in early breast cancer for more than 20 years, replacing mastectomy. Emerging evidence suggests that in appropriately chosen candidates, the traditional 6 weeks of daily therapy to the whole breast may be effectively replaced by twice-daily therapy for 5 days. The shorter course targets only the portion of the breast at highest risk for recurrence and is termed accelerated partial breast irradiation. Multiple methods of delivery of accelerated partial breast irradiation have been developed and described in the literature, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. This article summarizes the data and outlines each device, with an emphasis on newer techniques that maximize target dose delivery and minimize normal tissue radiation exposure.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
Daniel Scanderbeg has received honoraria from Cianna Medical. University of California, San Diego (CA, USA) has received grant support for research. Catheryn Yashar has served on an advisory board for Cianna Medical with stock options. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.