Breast cancer radiotherapy - changes in fractionation schemes through decades

Traditionally, as a standard dose fractionation schedule, adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer has been performed using prescribed doses of 46–50 Gy divided into daily fractions 1.8–2 Gy. Overall, treatment took 5 weeks. In the 1990s, schedules higher (2.5–3 Gy), smaller number (hypofractionation), and reduced overall started in context clinical trials. First results revealed an equivalent cosmetic effect hypofractionated protocols compared to fractionation, after longer follow-up, hypofractionation was connected with better control disease. Hypofractionation be considered new standard. Results newer trials confirm efficacy safety lasting working days 5.2 certain subgroups patients.