Did the adoption of accelerated partial-breast irradiation reduce the noncompliance with adjuvant radiation in lumpectomy patients?

Abstract

BackgroundThe underutilization of radiation therapy after breast-conserving surgery in early-stage breast cancer patients has been attributed to the inconvenience and potential side effects of whole-breast radiation treatment regimens. Accelerated partial-breast irradiation (APBI) involves twice-daily treatments more than 4 to 5 days, which could potentially improve convenience and adherence for women undergoing treatment. MethodsWe studied local therapies in about one-third of a million female breast cancer patients who were diagnosed between January 2000 and June 2011. ResultsWe found that the use of APBI brachytherapy increased rapidly from .2% in 2000 to about 3.1% in 2008 and leveled off after 2009. The increased use of APBI did not reduce the percentage of early-stage breast cancer patients who improperly forego radiation (about 14% over the whole study period). ConclusionsNoncompliance with adjuvant radiation is still common when shortened radiation therapy becomes increasingly accessible.