Postmastectomy Radiation Therapy: An ASTRO/ASCO/SSO Clinical Practice Guideline

This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations on the use of postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) in the treatment of breast cancer. PMRT refers to the treatment of the chest wall and ipsilateral regional nodes, including at-risk axillary, supra/infraclavicular, and internal mammary nodes. Updated recommendations detail indications for PMRT in the upfront surgical setting and after neoadjuvant systemic therapy, and provide guidance on appropriate target volumes, dosing, and treatment techniques.

The American Society for Radiation Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the Society of Surgical Oncology convened a multidisciplinary task force to address 4 key questions focused on radiation therapy (RT) in patients with breast cancer who undergo mastectomy including (1) indications for PMRT after upfront surgery, (2) indications for PMRT after neoadjuvant systemic therapy followed by surgery, (3) appropriate PMRT treatment volumes and dose-fractionation regimens, and (4) treatment techniques. Recommendations were based on a systematic literature review and created using a predefined consensus-building methodology and system for quality of evidence grading and strength of recommendation.

After upfront mastectomy, PMRT is indicated for most patients with node-positive breast cancer and select patients with node-negative disease. PMRT is also recommended after neoadjuvant systemic therapy, both for patients presenting with locally advanced disease and for those with residual nodal disease at the time of surgery. PMRT is conditionally recommended for patients with cT1-3N1 or cT3N0 breast cancer with pathologically negative nodes after neoadjuvant systemic therapy (ypNO). When PMRT is delivered, treatment to the ipsilateral chest wall/reconstructed breast and regional lymphatics is recommended, with moderate hypofractionation preferred, but with conventional fractionation approaches acceptable in rare cases. Computed tomography-based volumetric treatment planning with 3-dimensional conformal RT is recommended, with intensity modulated RT advised when 3-dimensional conformal RT is unable to achieve treatment goals. Deep inspiration breath hold techniques are also recommended for normal tissue sparing. For patients with skin involvement, positive superficial margins, and/or lymphovascular invasion, the use of a bolus is recommended, but the routine use of tissue-equivalent bolus is not recommended.

These evidence-based recommendations guide clinical practice on the use of PMRT in patients with breast cancer. © 2025 American Society for Radiation Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology and Society of Surgical Oncology. Published by Elsevier Inc on behalf of American Society for Radiation Oncology, by Wolters Kluwer Health on behalf of American Society of Clinical Oncology and by Springer Nature on behalf of Society of Surgical Oncology. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.