Partial Breast Irradiation After Breast-Conserving Surgery

PBI was not inferior to standard whole-breast irradiation.

The use of breast radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery has clearly been shown to reduce the risk for breast carcinoma recurrence. However, radiation delivered to the whole breast increases the chance of delivery to normal areas not at risk, such as normal breast tissue and the heart and lung.

To compare the safety and effectiveness of partial-breast irradiation (PBI) versus whole-breast irradiation (WBI) following lumpectomy, U.K. investigators conducted a multicenter randomized, controlled phase III noninferiority trial (UK IMPORT LOW) involving 2018 patients (age, >50 years; tumor size, ≤3 cm; 0–3 positive lymph nodes). Patients were randomized 1:1:1 to receive 15 daily fractions of WBI (40 Gy), PBI (40 Gy), or a combination of red…

Reviewing Author

Henry Mark Kuerer, MD, PhD, FACS

Disclosures

Speaker's BureauPhysicians’ Education Resource, LLC

RoyaltiesMcGraw-Hill Professional; UpToDate, Inc.

Editorial BoardsAnnals of Surgical Oncology

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Breast Surgeons (Chair, Publications Committee)