Consensus statement from the Spanish Brachytherapy Group (GEB) on accelerated partial breast irradiation using...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiation Therapy
• Medical Physics

Background:

• Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) using interstitial multicatheter brachytherapy (BT) is an effective treatment for early-stage breast cancer.
• Existing controversies in APBI clinical practice necessitated a consensus meeting.
• The Spanish Brachytherapy Group (GEB) convened experts from SEOR and SEFM to address BT APBI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish consensus guidelines for the safe clinical practice of APBI interstitial multicatheter brachytherapy.
• To standardize the approach to early breast cancer conservative treatment using BT.
• To provide clear recommendations for institutions offering or implementing BT APBI.

Main Methods:

• A survey with 27 questions covering all aspects of APBI BT was distributed to 26 institutions.
• Items lacking 70% agreement were discussed and voted upon during a consensus meeting.
• Expert panel discussions and voting were used to finalize consensus guidelines.

Main Results:

• Consensus was reached on approximately half of the survey questions.
• A significant portion of participating institutions (60%) perform APBI procedures.
• Definitive consensus was established through expert panel discussion and voting.

Conclusions:

• The document outlines consensus guidelines for interstitial BT APBI developed by the Spanish Brachytherapy Group.
• Institutions with BT capabilities should offer interstitial BT APBI to eligible patients.
• Adherence to these guidelines is encouraged for institutions implementing interstitial BT APBI.