Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

In Regard to ASTRO.

International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics·2026
Same author

Invest where impact begins: recommendations from Breast Cancer Research Foundation Early Career Investigator Working Group (Part 1 of 2).

NPJ breast cancer·2026
Same author

Response to Machiels et al. reconsidering the role of PMRT in low to intermediate risk breast cancer: applying results from previous standards of treatments in the current multimodal practice.

Radiotherapy and oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology·2026
Same author

Author Correction: Advancing equitable access to innovation in breast cancer.

NPJ breast cancer·2025
Same author

Ten-Year Survival after Postmastectomy Chest-Wall Irradiation in Breast Cancer.

The New England journal of medicine·2025
Same author

Erratum: De Novo Oligometastatic Breast Cancer.

Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 21, 2025

Proton Therapy Delivery and Its Clinical Application in Select Solid Tumor Malignancies
08:34

Proton Therapy Delivery and Its Clinical Application in Select Solid Tumor Malignancies

Published on: February 6, 2019

20.6K

Postmastectomy radiotherapy: a review.

Ian H Kunkler1, Boon H Chua2

  • 1University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.

Current Opinion in Oncology
|September 8, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) is standard for early breast cancer with 4+ positive lymph nodes. Its use in patients with 1-3 positive nodes requires further research and biomarker refinement for optimal patient selection.

More Related Videos

Voluntary Breath-hold Technique for Reducing Heart Dose in Left Breast Radiotherapy
11:38

Voluntary Breath-hold Technique for Reducing Heart Dose in Left Breast Radiotherapy

Published on: July 3, 2014

47.0K
Treatment of Liver Metastases Using an Internal Target Volume Method for Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy
08:54

Treatment of Liver Metastases Using an Internal Target Volume Method for Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy

Published on: May 8, 2018

14.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 21, 2025

Proton Therapy Delivery and Its Clinical Application in Select Solid Tumor Malignancies
08:34

Proton Therapy Delivery and Its Clinical Application in Select Solid Tumor Malignancies

Published on: February 6, 2019

20.6K
Voluntary Breath-hold Technique for Reducing Heart Dose in Left Breast Radiotherapy
11:38

Voluntary Breath-hold Technique for Reducing Heart Dose in Left Breast Radiotherapy

Published on: July 3, 2014

47.0K
Treatment of Liver Metastases Using an Internal Target Volume Method for Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy
08:54

Treatment of Liver Metastases Using an Internal Target Volume Method for Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy

Published on: May 8, 2018

14.5K

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Radiotherapy
  • Breast Cancer Management

Background:

  • Postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) plays a crucial role in managing early breast cancer.
  • Current guidelines establish PMRT as standard for patients with 4 or more positive axillary lymph nodes.
  • Indications for PMRT in patients with 1-3 positive axillary lymph nodes remain a subject of debate and controversy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current role and evolving indications of postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) in early breast cancer.
  • To evaluate the applicability of existing evidence, such as the Early Breast Cancer Trialists' Collaborative Group meta-analysis, in contemporary clinical practice.
  • To highlight the need for updated research and novel biomarkers to refine patient selection for PMRT.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature and meta-analyses, focusing on randomized trials of PMRT.
  • Analysis of the impact of multidisciplinary advances in surgery, radiation therapy, and systemic therapy on PMRT indications.
  • Discussion of the challenges in applying historical data to current patient populations.

Main Results:

  • PMRT is definitively indicated for patients with 4 or more positive axillary lymph nodes.
  • Evidence supporting PMRT for patients with 1-3 positive axillary lymph nodes is less definitive, leading to controversial indications.
  • Existing meta-analyses, while comprehensive, may have limited applicability due to advancements in breast cancer treatment.

Conclusions:

  • There is a lack of consensus on PMRT indications for patients with 1-3 positive nodes, reflected in varying national and international guidelines.
  • Contemporary randomized trial data are essential to clarify the benefits of PMRT in this subgroup.
  • Novel biomarkers assessing recurrence risk and radiosensitivity hold potential for improved patient selection for PMRT.