Philip Poortmans, MD, PhD, AZ Sint-Augustinus – Oncologisch Centrum GZA – Iridium Kankernetwerk, Antwerpen, Belgium, discusses hypofractionated postoperative radiation therapy regimen for patients with breast cancer. Traditionally, breast cancer radiation therapy has been fractionated at 25 fractions 5 times a week across a total timespan of 5 weeks. Accumulating data has shown breast cancer radiation can be provided over a shorter period of time in the form of 15 fractions, 5 times a week across 3 weeks. In this way, the efficacy of the radiation therapy is maintained, with similar local tumor control. Advantageously, patients experience less side effects. Dr Portman emphasizes the convenience of this new hypofractionated radiation regimen for both the patient and healthcare providers. This interview took place at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Breast Cancer 2022 congress in Berlin, Germany.
