Forward planned intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for whole breast postoperative radiotherapy. Is it useful? When?

The purpose was to compare the dosimetric results observed in 201 breast cancer patients submitted to tangential forward intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with those observed in 131 patients treated with a standard wedged 3D technique for postoperative treatment of whole breast, according to breast size and supraclavicular node irradiation. Following dosimetric parameters were used for the comparison: Dmax,Dmin,Dmean,V95% and V107% for the irradiated volume; Dmax,Dmean,V80% and V95% for the ipsilateral lung; Dmax,Dmean,V80% and V95% for the heart. Stratification was made according to breast size and supraclavicular (SCV) nodal irradiation. As respect to irradiated volume, a significant reduction of V107% (mean values: 7.0±6.6 versus 2.4±3.7,p