Locoregional Treatment for Early-Stage Breast Cancer: Current Status and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Background: The locoregional recurrence of breast cancer has been reduced due to the multidisciplinary approach of breast surgery, systemic therapy and radiation. Early detection and better surgical techniques contribute to an improvement in breast cancer outcomes. Purpose of Review: The purpose of this review is to have an overview and summary of the current evidence behind the current approaches to the locoregional treatment of breast cancer and to discuss its future direction. Summary: With improved surgical techniques and the use of a more effective neoadjuvant systemic therapy, including checkpoint inhibitors and dual HER2-directed therapies that lead to a higher frequency of pathologic complete responses and advances in adjuvant radiation therapy, breast cancer patients are experiencing better locoregional control and reduced local and systemic recurrence. De-escalation in surgery has not only improved the quality of life in the majority of breast cancer patients, but also maintained the low risk of recurrence. There are ongoing clinical trials to optimize radiation therapy in breast cancer. More modern radiation technologies are evolving to improve the patient outcome and reduce radiation toxicities.