The Breast
Volume 19, Issue 3 , Pages 163-167, June 2010

Hypofractionation should be the new ‘standard’ for radiation therapy after breast conserving surgery

BC Cancer Agency – Vancouver Island Centre and University of British Columbia, 2410 Lee Avenue, Victoria, BC, Canada V8R 6V5

Abstract 

Hypofractionated whole breast radiation therapy following breast conserving surgery (BCS) has been used in many institutions for several decades. Four randomized trials with 5–10-year follow-up, have demonstrated equivalent local control, cosmetic and normal tissue outcomes between 50 Gy in 25 fractions and various hypofractionated RT prescriptions employing 13–16 fractions. Indirect evidence suggests that hypofractionated RT may also be safe and effective for regional nodal RT. In the face of equivalent outcomes, patient convenience and health care utilization benefits, hypofractionated RT should be the new ‘standard’ following BCS.

Keywords: Breast cancer, Radiation therapy, Fractionation

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PII: S0960-9776(10)00056-1

doi:10.1016/j.breast.2010.03.002

The Breast
Volume 19, Issue 3 , Pages 163-167, June 2010

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