Use of hypofractionated radiotherapy regimens after organ-sparing surgery for Stages I–IIA breast cancers

Abstract

There have been recent reports on the expediency of applying postoperative hypofractionated accelerated radiotherapy (RT) regimens in patients who have undergone breast-sparing surgery. The concept of accelerated hypofractionation (AH) includes daily high-dose radiation for a shorter total period of time. In most radiologists’ opinion, the AH RT regimen may be as effective as more conventional treatments that use lower daily radiation doses for a longer period. The appeal of this method is that shorter treatment provides more convenience for patients. By taking into account the fact that the α/β ratio for intact breast tissues is about 3.5 Gy, larger fraction RT regi- mens are likely to be more effective, which will reduce the frequency of recurrences as compared with conventional therapy approaches without increasing the incidence of postradiation intact tissue damage