Complications of Breast-cancer Radiotherapy

Although the beneficial effect of postoperative radiotherapy for breast cancer is well documented, this treatment may be related to a number of complications, which may affect patient quality of life and possibly survival. Among significant long-term irradiation sequelae are cardiac and lung damage,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical oncology (Royal College of Radiologists (Great Britain)) 2006-04, Vol.18 (3), p.229-235
Main Authors: Senkus-Konefka, E., Jassem, J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arm - physiopathology
Breast cancer
Breast Neoplasms - radiotherapy
Breast Neoplasms - surgery
complications
Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
Female
Humans
mortality
Neoplasm Recurrence, Local - prevention & control
Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced - etiology
Radiation Injuries - etiology
radiotherapy
Radiotherapy, Adjuvant - adverse effects
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Shoulder - physiopathology
Women's Health
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Summary:Although the beneficial effect of postoperative radiotherapy for breast cancer is well documented, this treatment may be related to a number of complications, which may affect patient quality of life and possibly survival. Among significant long-term irradiation sequelae are cardiac and lung damage, lymphoedema, brachial plexopathy, impaired shoulder mobility and second malignancies. The risk of these complications, particularly high with old, suboptimal irradiation techniques, has decreased with the introduction of modern technologies. In this paper, we review the contemporary knowledge on the toxicity of breast-cancer radiotherapy and discuss possible preventive measures.
ISSN:0936-6555
1433-2981
DOI:10.1016/j.clon.2005.11.004