[Radiotherapy aspects in the treatment of breast cancer]

The role of radiotherapy in breast cancer has been to supply and complete radical or simple mastectomy, conservative surgery, and to improve quality of life in cases of disseminated disease. The concept of conservative surgery and radiation is based on successful treatment while preserving the breast. In randomized trials there were no significant differences in disease-free, distant-disease free or overall survival of patients treated by radical mastectomy or segmental mastectomy followed by breast irradiation. Adjuvant radiotherapy in treatment of operable breast cancer remains controversial, although most oncologists agree that it provides local and regional control of tumor. Preirradiation multidrug chemotherapy was added in inflammatory carcinoma of the breast, in patients with high risk of dissemination, and in gross local recurrences. Radiotherapy does relieve pain and disability caused by bone metastases in 80% and effective palliation is achieved by treatment of brain metastases.