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The Radiobiology of Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation

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Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation

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This chapter focuses on the radiobiology of breast cancer and the radiobiological principles that underpin APBI. The linear quadratic (LQ) equation is the radiobiological model most commonly used to compare the effects of different dose and fractionation schedules. Within this model, there are two assumed components of radiation damage, characterized by radiosensitivity coefficients α and β. The calculated values of α/β specific to breast cancer are presented. In addition to the general radiobiology of APBI, the radiobiological principles specifically related to the most commonly used APBI techniques are discussed. Understanding these principles enables a more informed prediction of disease control and toxicity, and enables quantitative comparison between techniques and regimes.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. St Luke's Cancer Centre, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Egerton Rd, Guildford, GU2 7XX, UK

    Alexandra Stewart

  2. Radiation Physics and Radiobiology, Imperial College Healthcare, NHS Trust, Charing Cross Hospital, London, W6 8RF, UK

    Roger Dale

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  1. Alexandra Stewart
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  2. Roger Dale
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Correspondence to Alexandra Stewart .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Tufts Medical Center, 750 Washington St., Boston, MA, 02111 NEMC 824, USA

    David E. Wazer

  2. Department of Radiation Oncology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 401 College Street, 980058, Richmond, VA, 23928, USA

    Douglas W. Arthur

  3. Department of Radiation Oncology, William Beaumont Hospital, 3601 W. Thirteen Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI, 48072, USA

    Frank A. Vicini

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© 2009 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Stewart, A., Dale, R. (2009). The Radiobiology of Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation. 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_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-88006-6_4

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-88005-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-88006-6

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