Adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) for breast cancer significantly reduces local recurrence and improves long term survival, however can be associated with an increased risk of cardiac mortality with studies finding that there is no "safe" cardiac dose. For left-sided breast cancer RT, Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) is a new technology that has been developed to facilitate reduction in cardiac dose by achieving maximum separation between the treatment area and heart.
DIBH Radiation Therapy: Breathing new life into breast treatments
Summary
Aim
To successfully implement a DIBH technique for breast cancer patients receiving RT treatment at Princess Alexandra Hospital.
Benefits
As a result of the positive findings of the pilot study, DIBH has been utilised in 32 per cent of patients who have received RT for breast cancer in the past 12 months with this number expected to continue to increase.
Background
Adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) for breast cancer significantly reduces local recurrence and improves long term survival, however can be associated with an increased risk of cardiac mortality with studies finding that there is no ‘safe’ cardiac dose. For left-sided breast cancer RT, Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) is a new technology that has been developed to facilitate reduction in cardiac dose by achieving maximum separation between the treatment area and heart.