CPB Ljubljana 2018 course book

The goal of the radiation after breast conserving surgery (BCS) is to avoid local recurrence

But…

Every four local recurrences avoided, one dead by breast cancer is avoided at 15 years

Effects of radiotherapy and of differences in the extent of surgery for early breast cancer on local recurrence and 15-year survival: an overview of the randomised trials Early Breast Cancer Trialists’ Collaborative Group (EBCTCG)* Lancet 2005; 366:2087-2106