Course Description
Breast conservation therapy is the treatment of choice for the management of patients with early stage breast cancer. Accelerated partial breast irradiation (PBI) is radiation therapy that is delivered to the tumor site, plus a margin after surgical resection, over a shorter period of time as compared to standard whole-breast radiation therapy. PBI can be delivered via an array of different technologies: 3-dimensional conformal radiation, interstitial multicatheter brachytherapy, intracavitary catheter brachytherapy, or by single-fraction intraoperative radiation therapy. These PBI technologies offer radiation oncologists additional options in customizing radiation therapy in order to optimize local control, cosmesis, dose distribution, and decrease the radiation dose to healthy tissue, all of which positively impact the patient's quality of life. The technological modalities of PBI and their favorable and unfavorable aspects are highlighted. Patient preparation and treatment planning and delivery via computed tomography (CT), as well as aspects of 3D conformal external beam radiation therapy (3D-CRT), intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT), and external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives:
After reading this article, the participant should be able to:

• SUMMARIZE the basic knowledge of partial breast irradiation.
• EXPLAIN the different techniques available for performing partial breast irradiation.
• IDENTIFY the procedures that need to be completed prior to the administration of radiation therapy to the breast.
• OUTLINE the advantages and disadvantages of external beam radiation therapy, intraoperative radiation therapy, and brachytherapy.

In order to receive CE credit, you must first complete the activity content. When completed, go to the "Take CE Test!" link to access the post-test.

Submit the completed answers to determine if you have passed the post-test assessment. You must obtain a score of 75% to receive the CE credit. You will have no more than 3 attempts to successfully complete the post-test.

Participants successfully completing the activity content and passing the post-test will receive 1.0 ARRT Category A credits.

Approved by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for ARRT Category A credit.

Approved by the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board for MDCB credit.

This activity may be available in multiple formats or from different sponsors. ARRT does not allow CE activities such as Internet courses, home study programs, or directed readings to be repeated for CE credit in the same or any subsequent biennium.