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| RED
BLUFF TUMOR INSTITUTE MEDICAL GROUP INC. |
ACCELERATED
PARTIAL BREAST IRRADIATION |
The efficacy, implementation, proper patient selection, acute and long term morbidity.
The use of accelerated partial breast radiation (APBI) is indicated in the treatment of patients with early stage breast cancer and a very select group (tumor less than 1 cm, lymph node negative, predominantly post menopausal patients).
 | The most important criteria to keep in mind is patient selection with criteria mentioned above. There are a number of papers published that show improper patient selection leads to increased local recurrences. |
| It is feasible to apply and the use of Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI) successfully keeping the criteria mentioned above and also that can be delivered either by using interstitial implant and most recently the 3-D conformal / IMRT / external beam radiotherapy. |
| It is important that the patient is properly informed and given the proper information before they accept the treatment letting them know that this is a new method and we have a limited number of studies and most importantly the final study that everyone is waiting for in order to evaluate the actual efficacy, acute and long term morbidity to yet be finally defined. Everyone is waiting for the Phase III trial that is undergoing at the present time and the data is not available at the present time. The Phase III trial is directed towards generating objective and realistic assessment regarding the APBI to provide guidance on the issues as I mentioned above including opposed and personal bias. |
| Unfortunately, the hype associated with partial breast radiation therapy has clearly outplaced the data showing the efficacy and safety. |
| Nevertheless, with extreme and careful caution and selection and a critical eye the partial breast irradiation should be given a proper consideration and a proper evaluation. |
| RED BLUFF TUMOR INSTITUTE |
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