ABSTRACT

This article is designed to be an update on the current status of Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI). It has been shown that breast-conserving therapy (lumpectomy plus radiation therapy) is equivalent to mastectomy in terms of long term overall survival, disease free survival, and distant recurrence.

This review discusses the history of breast brachytherapy including the goals of treatment and the background development of this option for accelerated breast radiation therapy. In addition, partial breast radiation therapy options are covered including multi-planar interstitial implants, balloon catheter implant, and external beam 3-D conformal APBI. Both background data and current data for APBI are also reviewed.

The potential benefits of partial breast radiation and potential complications are also discussed in this update on APBI. Appropriate APBI patient selection and current guidelines for treatment as published by the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBS) and the American Brachytherapy Society are reviewed as well. APBI seems to be an acceptable option for definitive breast radiation therapy for patients who desire breast conservation.