Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) is a technique that allows irradiation of only that part of the breast that is at greatest risk for recurrence of breast cancer. Because only a portion of the breast is irradiated, APBI can be performed in a relatively short period of time, usually in 5 days rather than the traditional 6 weeks. When used in carefully selected patients, APBI also allows normal portions of the breast parenchyma and regional vital organs to be spared from unnecessary irradiation. Common post-APBI imaging findings include focal skin thickening, seroma, scar, and skin retraction. Studies are underway that will compare a cohort of patients who underwent whole-breast irradiation with a cohort who underwent APBI to help determine whether the two techniques lead to significantly different imaging findings. Additional multicenter studies will be needed to document and analyze any such differences. In the future, APBI may play a significant role in selected patients, with pretherapy dynamic contrast material-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the breast possibly aiding in the selection process.
© RSNA, 2011.