Postmastectomy radiotherapy

Radiotherapy given after mastectomy (PMRT) will reduce the risk of local recurrence by about two-thirds. The absolute benefit will depend on the risk of local recurrence, which will depend on pathological characteristics (tumour size, nodal status, etc.) but also the type and extent of the surgery. The overall effect of radiotherapy on survival has changed with time. Improved local control reduces the risk of dying from breast caner, presumably by preventing secondary dissemination from recurrent disease. Older radiotherapy techniques were associated with an excess risk of cardiovascular death, which counterbalanced the improvement in survival seen with better local control. More recent studies show that modern radiotherapy techniques can improve local control and avoid cardiac morbidity. PMRT remains an important component of the management of patients with breast cancer.