Dr Yuan on the Evolution of Radiation Therapy Approaches in Breast Cancer

Yuan Yuan, MD, PhD, professor, director, Breast Medical Oncology Medicine, medical director, Breast Oncology Disease Research Group, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Health Sciences Clinical Professor, University of California, Los Angeles, discusses radiation therapy approaches across various of breast cancer subtypes, as presented at a recent OncLive® State of the Science Summit, which she chaired.

At the event, Julie K. Jang, MD, PhD, of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, discussed patient-friendly radiation therapy in breast cancer. The traditional approach to radiation therapy in breast cancer, which involved 6 to 6.5 weeks of treatment for all patients, is evolving, Yuan begins. She states that oncologists now have more efficient and patient-friendly options that allow treatment to be completed in much shorter timeframes. For example, treatment can be condensed into schedules ranging from 15 to 20 fractions, equating to 3 to 4 weeks, or even as short as 5 fractions over 1 week, Yuan explains. These tailored approaches are particularly effective for patients with low-risk disease, offering greater convenience and reduced burden without compromising efficacy, she reports. This shift moves away from the "one-size-fits-all" mindset, acknowledging that treatment should be individualized based on disease risk, Yuan expands.

Furthermore, radiation oncologists are working diligently to minimize treatment-related toxicity and still deliver effective therapy, particularly for patients with early-stage breast cancer, she continues. The ability to adjust radiation schedules not only improves patient experience but also ensures that they receive the necessary care without unnecessary adverse effects, Yuan states. These advancements in radiation therapy represent a step towards improving the accessibility and manageability of treatment for all patients with the same high standards of care, she notes. The future of breast cancer radiation treatment is focused on efficiency, personalization, and reducing treatment burden for patients without compromising outcomes, Yuan concludes.