ABSTRACT
Currently, whole breast radiotherapy (WBRT) is the standard treatment for early breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery, which effectively reduces the recurrence rate. Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI), a special radiotherapy that only targets the limited volume of tissues surrounding the primary lesion, has attracted more and more attention because of the high proportion of tumor recurrence adjacent to the tumor resection cavity. In recent years, a number of prospective randomized controlled trails have demonstrated its safety and effectiveness, which is a feasible choice for specific low-risk patients after breast-conserving surgery. Compared with WBRT, APBI shortens the treatment time, reduces the treatment cost and improves the cosmetic effect. At the same time, more and more APBI technologies have been developed, which enhance the accessibility and possess unique advantages for partial patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery. Nevertheless, the efficacy and side effects of APBI technologies still differ, which need to be treated differently. In this paper, multiple APBI technologies, research progresses at home and abroad and applicable population were reviewed. The unresolved problems were proposed and development prospect was predicted, aiming to provide reference for clinical application.