Many women with early-stage breast cancer undergo breast-conserving surgery followed by whole-breast irradiation, which reduces the rate of local recurrence. In this publication synopsis the authors determined whether the addition of regional nodal irradiation to whole-breast irradiation results in improved outcomes. Regional node irradiation is a radiotherapy to the chest wall and regional lymph nodes, which is commonly used after mastectomy in women with node positive breast cancer who are treated with adjuvant systemic therapy, reduces locoregional and distant recurrence and improves overall survival.
However it is unclear whether the addition of regional nodal irradiation to whole-breast irradiation after breast conserving surgery will have similar effect. Lower axillary and internal mammary lymph nodes are involved in whole breast irradiation. However, regional nodal irradiation…
