Radiation therapy on the axilla after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The introduction of primary systemic therapy has established a new treatment paradigm for breast cancer patients. However, recommendations for regional node irradiation after neoadjuvant chemotherapy are not supported by level I evidence, yet.

RECENT FINDINGS: In addition to strategies optimising systemic treatments and surgery, current discussions focus on tailoring radiation therapy for breast cancer. Especially in view of the increasingly pivotal role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, gauging the extent of radiation therapy in the breast and nodal volumes.

SUMMARY: The current review focuses on recent evidence regarding radiation therapy of the breast and axilla in patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy for primary breast cancer based on a PubMed and EMBASE literature search for publication years 2020-2022.