Applying innovations in surgical and radiation oncology to breast conservation therapy

A paradigm shift is occurring in the radiotherapeutic management of early breast carcinoma. The current change includes technological advances in radiation therapy delivery to limit toxicity by minimizing patient treatment. These treatments include improved techniques for whole-breast irradiation, for example, hypofractionation and intensity modulated radiation therapy, and those for irradiating a smaller portion of the breast in a shorter period of time, specifically, accelerated partial breast irradiation. This article also addresses interesting research on delivering radiation therapy intraoperatively and looks ahead toward applications aimed at minimizing the physical, biological, and psychosocial impact of breast conservation therapy.