[Supra- and infraclavicular lymph node irradiation in breast cancer patients: state of the art]

Abstract

Radiation therapy plays an essential role in the treatment of invasive breast cancer. However, prophylactic treatment of supra- and infraclavicular lymph nodes is not consensual, with different treatment depending on the centres and practitioners. Clinical indications for radiotherapy of the supra- and infraclavicular lymph nodes are often the subject of a consensus. Nevertheless, radiotherapy induces some toxicity. Various techniques have been developed. To date, conformal radiotherapy allows an accurate assessment of doses to target volumes and organs at risk, but at the cost of a sometime complex delineation. This article reviews the literature on radiation of supra- and infraclavicular lymph nodes, with a special focus on technical aspects in delineation and its potential toxicity.