3D conformal external-beam technique

Abstract

Three-dimensional conformal external-beam accelerated partial breast irradiation (3D-conformal APBI) allows noninvasive delivery of hypofractionated adjuvant radiation treatment to the region of the breast at highest risk of developing a local recurrence after lumpectomy. The potential advantages of a 3D conformal radiation therapy approach to APBI compared to brachytherapy include its noninvasive approach and an improvement in dose homogeneity, while a potential disadvantage is that the breast represents a moving target, and so potentially larger volumes of normal breast tissue may need to be irradiated to avoid a geographic miss. This chapter discusses 3D conformal APBI techniques in detail, including prone and supine approaches. In addition, novel 3D conformal APBI techniques such as IMRT and tomotherapy are discussed. Lastly, 3D conformal APBI clinical experience and outcomes are reviewed. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.