ABSTRACT
Techniques for accelerated partial breast irradiation focus on the tumor bed and a zone of surrounding tissue of variable depth, and rates of local control to date appear comparable to whole breast irradiation for matched and appropriately selected patients. A commentary accompanying the first results of the TARGeted Intraoperative radioTherapy-A trial claimed partial breast irradiation to be a new standard of care for suitably selected patients. Published trials have confirmed that rates of local control lie within pre-defined non-inferiority margins. Historically, lumpectomy followed by whole breast irradiation has been the foundation of breast-conservation therapy and provides an acceptable alternative to mastectomy in the management of early-stage breast cancer. One meta-analysis systemically examined 24 studies involving 1933 patients undergoing oncoplastic surgery and external beam whole breast irradiation. It was concluded that improved communication between disciplines could allow for better tumor bed identification and reduced treatment volumes.
