There are presently seven Phase III trials that have been initiated with the purpose of addressing whether radiation treatment with an accelerated partial breast irradiation approach following breast-conserving surgery is an acceptable alternative to treatment with conventional whole breast radiotherapy. The National Institute of Oncology trial from Budapest, the European Institute of Oncology trial from Milan, the European TARGIT trial, the European IMPORT LOW trail, and the Canadian RAPID trial are all discussed. In addition, two large multi-institutional trials are accruing patients; the European Brachytherapy Breast Cancer GEC-ESTRO trial and the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowl Project and Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (NSABP B39/RTOG 0413) trial. These two trials are compared and discussed in detail. As these Phase III trials are completed and the results mature, there is promise that the basic questions surrounding accelerated partial breast irradiation and its comparison to conventional whole breast irradiation will be definitively addressed. Additionally, it is the role of these Phase III trials to further define and potentially expand the patient selection criteria, elucidate which dosimetric parameters are critical to success, and clarify which APBI technique is appropriate in which situation.
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Arthur, D.W. (2009). The Phase III Trials: Obtaining Definitive Answers. In: Wazer, D.E., Arthur, D.W., Vicini, F.A. (eds) Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-88006-6_10
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