External radiation therapy

The more recent external radiotherapy techniques all tend towards better control of irradiation conditions, that is to say they optimise the volumes to be treated while avoiding irradiation of the lung and the heart. 

Modern radiotherapy is based on a simulation by individualised three-dimensional imaging, which allows the accurate identification of the anatomical positions of tumour target volumes in order to reduce the size of the beams and thus better protect healthy tissue. This method is now the standard treatment. 

The forced inspiration («respiratory gating» or «breath hold») irradiation technique, which irradiates the tissues only when the patient holds her breath after breathing in, keeps the heart well away from the chest wall and thus minimises its irradiation. 

Using the «intensity-modulated radiotherapy» (IMRT) and «modulated volumetric arc therapy» techniques it is possible to increase radiation precision by modulating the beams applied to target volumes. This improves dosimetric distribution quality, which spares healthy organs and allows homogeneous dose distribution regardless of breast volume and shape.