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Updated: Mar 15, 2026
Voluntary Breath-hold Technique for Reducing Heart Dose in Left Breast Radiotherapy
Published on: July 3, 2014
[Respiratory synchronization and breast radiotherapy]
A Mège1, A Ziouèche-Mottet2, V Bodez1
1Département de radiothérapie et de radiophysique, institut Sainte-Catherine, 250, chemin de Baigne-Pieds, 84000 Avignon, France.
Abstract:
Adjuvant radiation therapy following breast cancer surgery continues to improve locoregional control and overall survival. But the success of highly targeted-conformal radiotherapy such as intensity-modulated techniques, can be compromised by respiratory motion. The intrafraction motion can potentially result in significant under- or overdose, and also expose organs at risk. This article summarizes the respiratory motion and its effects on imaging, dose calculation and dose delivery by radiotherapy for breast cancer. We will review the methods of respiratory synchronization available for breast radiotherapy to minimize the respiratory impact and to spare organs such as heart and lung.
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