Partial versus whole breast irradiation after breast-conserving surgery for early breast cancer

After breast conserving surgery for low-risk early-stage breast cancer in elderly patients, whole breast irradiation (WBI) is associated with low risk of local recurrence. A phase 3 study by the Danish Breast Cancer Group compared partial breast irradiation (PBI) versus WBI in these patients. The 3-year rate of grade 2-3 breast induration (primary end point) was 9.7% in the WBI group versus 5.1% in the PBI group (p=0.014). Large breast size was a risk factor for induration in both groups. Few recurrences were detected; recurrences were unrelated to PBI.