Research progress and clinical decision of internal mammary prophylactic radiotherapy after breast cancer surgery

Abstract

Although the internal mammary is the lymphatic drainage site for breast cancer, whether postoperative radiotherapy needs to be irradiated remains controversial. In recent years, several random studies have discussed internal mammary radiotherapy to varying degrees and no evidence has obtained that internal mammary radiotherapy bring clinical benefits to overall survival. In clinical practice, internal mammary prophylactic radiotherapy should maintain the balance among the risk of tumor recurrence, prescription dose and radiotherapy techniques to avoid the increased risk of radiotherapy-related death that offsets the possible survival benefits. Key words: Breast neoplasm/internal mammary prophylactic radiotherapy; Research progress; Clinical decision