Dr. DeCesaris on Classical vs Contemporary Indications for Radiation in Breast Cancer

Cristina DeCesaris, MD, assistant professor of Radiation Oncology at the University of Utah Huntsman Cancer Institute, discusses classical indications for breast cancer radiation and how these methods are being contextualized in the contemporary treatment era.

Beginning decades ago, patients with early-stage breast cancer who underwent breast-conserving surgery typically received adjuvant whole-breast radiation, which was found to be just as effective as mastectomies, DeCesaris says. Patients usually preferred this treatment for its surgical, recovery, cosmetic, and morbidity benefits, DeCesaris adds.

In the locally advanced setting, which includes patients undergoing mastectomies or those who have nodal disease, post-mastectomy regional nodal radiation continues to be indicated for patients who have confirmed nodal involvement, locally advanced tumors, or inflammatory primary breast cancer, DeCesaris notes. Patients who would benefit most from regional nodal radiation in contemporary settings also include those who have at least 4 positive lymph nodes, DeCesaris concludes.