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Tolerance and Outcomes of Partial Breast Radiation in a Community-based Setting
Andrew Wong1, Alexis Rafael Narvaez-Rojas2, William Diehl1
1Summit Health, Berkeley Heights, NJ, U.S.A.
Anticancer Research
|February 27, 2026
Summary
Partial breast radiation (PBI) is well-tolerated in early-stage breast cancer patients. This study found minimal toxicity and only one local recurrence in a community setting, supporting PBI as a safe option.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiation Oncology
- Breast Cancer Treatment
Background:
- Guidelines increasingly recommend partial breast radiation (PBI) over whole breast radiation for early-stage, node-negative breast cancer after lumpectomy.
- PBI adoption has been slower in some regions, including the United States, necessitating further evaluation in diverse clinical settings.
- Community-based practices play a crucial role in patient access to modern radiation techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety, tolerance, and clinical outcomes of partial breast radiation (PBI) in women with early-stage breast cancer treated in a community-based practice.
- To assess short-term and long-term toxicities associated with different PBI dose regimens.
- To determine rates of local recurrence, regional recurrence, distant metastasis, and treatment compliance.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 180 women aged 40+ treated with PBI between 2018-2022 following lumpectomy with negative margins.
- External beam radiation therapy was delivered using various daily fractionation schedules (40 Gy/15 Fx, 35 Gy/10 Fx, 30 Gy/5 Fx, 26 Gy/5 Fx).
- Data collected included toxicity (short and long-term), recurrence patterns, mortality, and endocrine therapy adherence.
Main Results:
- Median follow-up was 50.5 months; 80% of patients had invasive cancer.
- Short-term grade 2 side effects occurred in 4.4% of patients, with no grade 3+ events. Two cases (1.1%) of long-term grade 2 persistent breast pain were noted, both in the 30 Gy/5 Fx group.
- A single local recurrence occurred at 70 months, alongside one regional/distant recurrence at 34 months. 89.3% of ER+ patients initiated endocrine therapy, with 22% discontinuing prematurely.
Conclusions:
- Partial breast radiation (PBI) demonstrates excellent tolerance and a favorable toxicity profile in a large, community-based setting.
- The study observed a low rate of local recurrence and minimal long-term side effects, supporting PBI's efficacy and safety.
- These findings reinforce PBI as a viable and well-tolerated option for select breast cancer patients undergoing breast conservation.
