Tumor bed boost radiotherapy in breast cancer. A review of current techniques

ABSTRACT

Various breast boost irradiation techniques were studied and compared. The most commonly used techniques are external beam radiation therapy [EBRT] [photons or electrons] and high dose rate [HDR] interstitial brachytherapy, but recent studies have also revealed the use of advanced radiotherapy techniques, such as intensity modulated radiation therapy [IMRT], intra-operative radiation therapy [IORT], tomotherapy, and protons. The purpose of this study is to systematically review the literature concerning breast boost radiotherapy techniques, and suggest evidence based guidelines for each. A search for literature was performed in the National Library of Medicine's [PubMed] database for English-language articles published from 1st January 1990 to 5th April 2011. The key words were `breast boost radiotherapy`, `breast boost irradiation`, and `breast boost irradiation AND techniques`. Randomized trials comparing the long-term results of boost irradiation techniques, balancing the local control, and cosmesis against logistic resources, and including cost-benefit analysis are further needed