[Supra- and infraclavicular lymph node irradiation in breast cancer patients: state of the art]. / Radiothérapie des aires ganglionnaires sus- et sous-claviculaire dans les cancers du sein : état des lieux.

Radiation therapy plays an essential role in the treatment of invasive breast cancer. However, prophylactic treatment of supra- and infraclavicular lymph nodes is not consensual, with different treatment depending on the centres and practitioners. Clinical indications for radiotherapy of the supra- and infraclavicular lymph nodes are often the subject of a consensus. Nevertheless, radiotherapy induces some toxicity. Various techniques have been developed. To date, conformal radiotherapy allows an accurate assessment of doses to target volumes and organs at risk, but at the cost of a sometime complex delineation. This article reviews the literature on radiation of supra- and infraclavicular lymph nodes, with a special focus on technical aspects in delineation and its potential toxicity.

Simplified rules for everyday delineation of lymph node areas for breast cancer radiotherapy.

The aim of this study was to present the simplified rules of delineation of lymph node (LN) volumes in breast irradiation. Practical rules of delineation of LN areas were developed in the Department of Radiation Oncology of the Institut Curie. These practical guidelines of delineation were based on different specific publications in the field of breast and LN anatomy. The principal characteristic of these rules is their clearly established relationship with anatomical structure, which is easy to find on CT slices. The simplified rules of delineation have been published in pocket format as the illustrated atlas "Help of delineation for breast cancer treatment". In this small pocket guide, delineation using the practical rules is illustrated, with examples from anatomical CT slices. It is shown that there is an improvement in delineation after the use of these simplified rules and the guide. In conclusion, this small guide is useful for improving everyday practice and decreasing the differences in target delineation for breast irradiation between institutions and observers.

[Definition of nodal volumes in breast cancer treatment and segmentation guidelines]. / Définition des volumes ganglionnaires dans le cadre du traitement d'un cancer du sein et règles de contourage.

PURPOSE: To assist in the determination of breast and nodal volumes in the setting of radiotherapy for breast cancer and establish segmentation guidelines. Materials and methods. Contrast metarial enhanced CT examinations were obtained in the treatment position in 25 patients to clearly define the target volumes. The clinical target volume (CTV) including the breast, internal mammary nodes, supraclavicular and subclavicular regions and axxilary region were segmented along with the brachial plexus and interpectoral nodes. The following critical organs were also segmented: heart, lungs, contralateral breast, thyroid, esophagus and humeral head. RESULTS: A correlation between clinical and imaging findings and meeting between radiation oncologists and breast specialists resulted in a better definition of irradiation volumes for breast and nodes with establishement of segmentation guidelines and creation of an anatomical atlas. CONCLUSION: A practical approach, based on anatomical criteria, is proposed to assist in the segmentation of breast and node volumes in the setting of breast cancer treatment along with a definition of irradiation volumes.

Anatomical, clinical and radiological delineation of target volumes in breast cancer radiotherapy planning: individual variability, questions and answers.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the individual variability of anatomical and radiological delineation for breast cancer radiotherapy (RT) in preparation for new techniques and to propose practical solutions to improve delineation in everyday practice. In the first phase, a patient with stage T3N3M0 breast cancer and complete response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy was assessed by CT scan in the treatment position before RT. 11 radiation oncologists (5 breast cancer specialists and 6 residents) independently delineated the breast and lymph node (LN) regions before definition of target volumes. Organs at risk (heart, lung, thyroid and brachial plexus) were also delineated. All regions (breast, axilla, supraclavicular LN, infraclavicular LN and internal mammary chain) were delineated and compared in terms of volume. Comparative analysis was performed with Aquilab software. Differences in the clinical and radiological assessment were observed between the various radiation oncologists. Simplified rules of delineation were developed in the department. Using these rules, the second patient's CT was delineated by the same physicians and better results were observed. Simplified rules of delineation were developed. In conclusion, major differences in anatomical and radiological delineation for breast cancer RT were observed among the physicians. This study led to the development of written delineation protocols. The study is ongoing with evaluation of the dosimetric impact and definition of different target volumes.