Radiation therapy and breast cancer

Curr Opin Oncol. 1998 Nov;10(6):513-6. doi: 10.1097/00001622-199811000-00006.

Abstract

The role of radiation therapy in the management of breast cancer is well established. Questions remain, however, regarding: 1) which patients derive the most benefit from the addition of radiation in breast conservation for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and after mastectomy for node-positive invasive cancer; 2) what is the role of brachytherapy in the management of invasive disease, either as primary therapy or as a boost after external beam therapy; and 3) whether radiation fields can be modified given the low rates of local-regional recurrence reported after breast conserving therapy in patients receiving systemic therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brachytherapy
  • Breast / pathology
  • Breast / radiation effects
  • Breast Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Carcinoma in Situ / radiotherapy*
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / radiotherapy*
  • Female
  • Humans