Radiation oncology: the year in review

Radiotherapy plays an essential role in the treatment of patients with breast cancer. The literature in English dealing with radiation therapy in the management of breast cancer published between May 2001 and April 2002 was reviewed. A variety of articles were chosen by the authors to be presented in this review. The areas of particular interest include the role of boost therapy after whole-breast irradiation, the use of intraoperative irradiation after lumpectomy, the management of ductal carcinoma the effect of age on outcome of therapy, and side-effects of irradiation. Space does not allow a comprehensive review of all the published literature, but the articles chosen were thought to be of special interest to those involved in breast cancer management.