Particle radiotherapy for breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in female patients. Along with surgery, radiotherapy is one of the most commonly prescribed treatments for breast cancer. Over the past few decades, breast cancer radiotherapy technology has significantly improved. Nevertheless, related posttherapy complications should not be overlooked. Common complications include dose-related coronary toxicity, radiation pneumonia, and the risk of second primary cancer of the contralateral breast. Particle radiotherapy with protons or carbon ions is widely attracting interest as a potential competitor to conventional photon radiotherapy because of its superior physical and biological characteristics. This article summarizes the results of clinical research on proton and carbon-ion radiotherapy for treating breast cancer

Automated summary

Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in women, and radiotherapy is a common treatment. Although breast cancer radiotherapy technology has improved, complications should not be overlooked. Common complications include coronary toxicity, radiation pneumonia, and the risk of second primary cancer. Proton and carbon-ion radiotherapy have attracted interest as potential alternatives to conventional photon radiotherapy. This article summarizes clinical research on proton and carbon-ion radiotherapy for breast cancer treatment.