Combined modality treatment of early breast cancer. Literature review

Abstract

The object of the study was to conduct a systematic literature review on combined modality treatment for early-stage breast cancer using postoperative and intraoperative radiation therapy, and consider new treatment approaches for early breast cancer.Material and Methods. The search for sources relevant to the review topic was carried out in the Medline, Cochrane Library, and Elibrary systems. A total of 905 studies on combination treatments for early breast cancer were identified, of which 43 were included in the review.Results. Data analysis showed that the rate of local relapses in early breast cancer was lower in patients who underwent breast-conserving surgery in combination with adjuvant radiation therapy than in patients without adjuvant radiation therapy. Research is ongoing on radiotherapy deintensification using intraoperative radiation therapy for patients at low risk of recurrence. Ongoing clinical trials support the omission of radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery for elderly women with hormone receptor-positive early-stage breast cancer, who receive adjuvant endocrine therapy. Understanding the characteristics of the tumor process will allow us to personalize the treatment of patients with early breast cancer, reduce the risk of local relapses, and avoid unnecessary treatment-related complications.Conclusion. To improve survival in breast cancer patients is only possible by maximizing the tumor control. The effectiveness of adjuvant radiation therapy, which is an integral component in the combined modality treatment of early breast cancer, has been proven. However, third-generation studies discuss the feasibility of identifying a low-risk group of patients with a favorable clinical prognosis, who receive adequate endocrine therapy, and additional radiation do not provide a significant survival benefit.

Keywords

• early-stage breast cancer
• organ-preserving treatment
• radiation therapy