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New Frontiers in Hypofractionation for Regional Nodal Irradiation in Breast Cancer

  • Radiation Oncology (W Woodward, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Breast Cancer Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

In recent years, there have been a number of small, yet notable practice changes in the delivery of postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) in breast cancer patients. Herein, we describe the role of PMRT and its evolving delivery with hypofractionated regimens.

Recent Findings

The UK START trials and whole-breast hypofractionation studies established the safety and effectiveness of accelerated radiotherapy. This has inspired further investigations of similar principles in patients with reconstruction, acute and late toxicities associated with hypofractionated regimens, socioeconomic benefit, and evolving delivery techniques.

Summary

Overall, results from clinical trials evaluating hypofractionation for RNI or PMRT appear promising despite the limited length of follow-up. Ongoing clinical trials will provide valuable data on the safety of hypofractionation in breast cancer patients with immediate reconstruction. Hypofractionation for PMRT represents high-quality care that is not only more convenient for patients but also more cost-effective for the healthcare system.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Harvard Radiation Oncology Programx, Boston, MA, USA

    Oluwadamilola T. Oladeru

  2. Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Oluwadamilola T. Oladeru, Samantha A. Dunn, Liam T. Vanbenthuysen, Nicolas Depauw & Alice Y. Ho

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  1. Oluwadamilola T. Oladeru
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Correspondence to Alice Y. Ho.

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Conflict of Interest

Alice Ho reports grants from Merck & Co., grants from GSK, Inc., personal fees from Amgen, outside the submitted work.

Oluwadamilola Oladeru reports grants from Radiation Oncology Institute, outside the submitted work.

Samantha A. Dunn, Nicolas Depauw, and Liam T. Vanbenthuysen declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Oladeru, O.T., Dunn, S.A., Vanbenthuysen, L.T. et al. New Frontiers in Hypofractionation for Regional Nodal Irradiation in Breast Cancer. Curr Breast Cancer Rep 12, 285–295 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12609-020-00385-w

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