[Radiotherapy in treatment of breast cancer]

Surgery and radiation therapy are the basic therapies for local tumor control in breast cancer. The role of radiation therapy has been established in a number of prospective studies during the past years. Technical advances (computerized treatment planning, linear accelerators) and knowledge of tolerance in normal tissues have practically eliminated the severe side effects of former radiation therapies. Radiation is able to prevent local recurrences in postoperative situations (breast-conserving therapies, in high-risk situations after mastectomy, after excision of chest wall recurrences). If a tumor cannot be removed or a gross tumor is left after excision, radiation will be necessary to achieve local tumor control. Radiation has an important role in palliation in metastatic disease. The current paper summarizes the role of modern radiation therapy in the treatment of breast cancer and points to problems in the referral of patients in current practice.