Postmastectomy radiotherapy: a review

Ian H. Kunkler; Boon H. Chua

doi:10.1097/CCO.0000000000000789

Postmastectomy radiotherapy: a review

Ian H. Kunkler, Boon H. Chua

Deanery of Molecular, Genetic and Population Health Sciences

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Purpose of review

We review the role of postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) in the management of patients with early breast cancer.
Recent findings

PMRT in patients with 4 or more involved axillary lymph nodes is the current standard of care but the indications for PMRT in patients with 1–3 involved nodes remain controversial. The Early Breast Cancer Trialists’ Collaborative Group meta-analysis of randomised trials of PMRT provides the most comprehensive level 1 evidence base. However, its applicability in contemporary practice in the context of recent multidisciplinary advances in surgery, radiation therapy and systemic therapy remains challenging.
Summary

The lack of consensus on the indications for PMRT in patients with 1–3 positive nodes underpins the variations in the national and international guidelines on PMRT. We emphasise the need for contemporary randomised trial data, and the potential to refine patient selection for PMRT using novel biomarkers of recurrence and radiosensitivity.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	547-552
Number of pages	6
Journal	Current opinion in oncology
Volume	33
Issue number	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1097/CCO.0000000000000789
Publication status	Published - 1 Nov 2021

Keywords

breast cancer
mastectomy
postmastectomy radiotherapy

Access to Document

10.1097/CCO.0000000000000789

Post-mastectomy radiotherapy_Kunkler and Chua_23July2021
This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in Current Opinion in Oncology following peer review. The version of record "Postmastectomy radiotherapy: a review" is available online at: doi: 10.1097/CCO.0000000000000789
Accepted author manuscript, 37.6 KBLicence: Creative Commons: Attribution Non-Commercial (CC-BY-NC)

https://journals.lww.com/10.1097/CCO.0000000000000789

Cite this

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title = "Postmastectomy radiotherapy: a review",

abstract = "Purpose of review We review the role of postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) in the management of patients with early breast cancer.Recent findings PMRT in patients with 4 or more involved axillary lymph nodes is the current standard of care but the indications for PMRT in patients with 1–3 involved nodes remain controversial. The Early Breast Cancer Trialists{\textquoteright} Collaborative Group meta-analysis of randomised trials of PMRT provides the most comprehensive level 1 evidence base. However, its applicability in contemporary practice in the context of recent multidisciplinary advances in surgery, radiation therapy and systemic therapy remains challenging.Summary The lack of consensus on the indications for PMRT in patients with 1–3 positive nodes underpins the variations in the national and international guidelines on PMRT. We emphasise the need for contemporary randomised trial data, and the potential to refine patient selection for PMRT using novel biomarkers of recurrence and radiosensitivity.",

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author = "Kunkler, {Ian H.} and Chua, {Boon H.}",

year = "2021",

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doi = "10.1097/CCO.0000000000000789",

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AU - Chua, Boon H.

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N2 - Purpose of review We review the role of postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) in the management of patients with early breast cancer.Recent findings PMRT in patients with 4 or more involved axillary lymph nodes is the current standard of care but the indications for PMRT in patients with 1–3 involved nodes remain controversial. The Early Breast Cancer Trialists’ Collaborative Group meta-analysis of randomised trials of PMRT provides the most comprehensive level 1 evidence base. However, its applicability in contemporary practice in the context of recent multidisciplinary advances in surgery, radiation therapy and systemic therapy remains challenging.Summary The lack of consensus on the indications for PMRT in patients with 1–3 positive nodes underpins the variations in the national and international guidelines on PMRT. We emphasise the need for contemporary randomised trial data, and the potential to refine patient selection for PMRT using novel biomarkers of recurrence and radiosensitivity.

AB - Purpose of review We review the role of postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) in the management of patients with early breast cancer.Recent findings PMRT in patients with 4 or more involved axillary lymph nodes is the current standard of care but the indications for PMRT in patients with 1–3 involved nodes remain controversial. The Early Breast Cancer Trialists’ Collaborative Group meta-analysis of randomised trials of PMRT provides the most comprehensive level 1 evidence base. However, its applicability in contemporary practice in the context of recent multidisciplinary advances in surgery, radiation therapy and systemic therapy remains challenging.Summary The lack of consensus on the indications for PMRT in patients with 1–3 positive nodes underpins the variations in the national and international guidelines on PMRT. We emphasise the need for contemporary randomised trial data, and the potential to refine patient selection for PMRT using novel biomarkers of recurrence and radiosensitivity.

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JO - Current opinion in oncology

JF - Current opinion in oncology

SN - 1040-8746

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Postmastectomy radiotherapy: a review

Abstract

Keywords

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