Partial breast irradiation for patients with early-stage invasive breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ: an ASTRO clinical practice guideline
Practical radiation oncology (Online); 12 (), 2024
Publication year: 2024
This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations on appropriate indications and techniques for partial breast irradiation (PBI) for patients with early-stage invasive breast cancer and ductal carcinoma in situ.
ASTRO convened a task force to address 4 key questions focused on the appropriate indications and techniques for PBI as an
alternative to whole breast irradiation (WBI) to result in similar rates of ipsilateral breast recurrence (IBR) and toxicity outcomes. Also
addressed were aspects related to the technical delivery of PBI, including dose-fractionation regimens, target volumes, and treatment
parameters for different PBI techniques. The guideline is based on a systematic review provided by the Agency for Healthcare Research
and Quality. Recommendations were created using a predefined consensus-building methodology and system for grading evidence quality and recommendation strength.
PBI delivered using 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy, multicatheter brachytherapy, and single-entry brachytherapy results in similar IBR as WBI with long-term follow-up. Some patient characteristics and tumor
features were underrepresented in the randomized controlled trials, making it difficult to fully define IBR risks for patients with these
features. Appropriate dose-fractionation regimens, target volume delineation, and treatment planning parameters for delivery of PBI
are outlined. Intraoperative radiation therapy alone is associated with a higher IBR rate compared with WBI. A daily or every-other-day
external beam PBI regimen is preferred over twice-daily regimens due to late toxicity concerns.