Breast Radiotherapy: An Overview of Available Radiation Treatment Options and Treatment Induced Sequelae

Abstract The past two decades have seen dramatic changes in the treatment of breast cancer, the most important being the shift towards breast conservation. With recent advances in diagnostic and treatment of breast cancer, the number of long-term survivors is increasing. The ongoing improvements and developments in radiotherapy techniques are leading to treatments, which offer both volume coverage and are minimizing the risk of treatment related side effects. In this article we review the role of radiation therapy in management of breast cancer, treatment techniques, as well as possible radiation induced sequelae.