Breast

Abstract

The treatment of carcinoma of the breast is a continuously changing pattern. In the north-west of England, the trend towards lesser surgery and increasing reliance on radiotherapy continues apace. Techniques in radiotherapy also continue to evolve based on the type of surgery practised within the region and governed by the practicalities of an increasing workload within the radiotherapy department. The very large workload at the Christie Hospital dictates that all the techniques have to be as simple as possible and idealism has sometimes to be tempered by pragmatism. Based on these factors, and on the results of clinical trials held at the Christie Hospital, certain treatment protocols have evolved, and these will be described in detail. In order to concentrate on the radiotherapy techniques, some other aspects of breast carcinoma such as epidemiology, population screening and risk factors will not be considered in detail.