The Best Time for Radiotherapy after Breast Conservation Surgery

There is no optimal time for radiation after breast-conserving surgery, but radiation is usually recommended 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. First, radiation at 4 to 6 weeks after surgery can balance the need for surgical trauma recovery and tumor control to some extent. After this time, the surgical wound is usually basically healed, and the patient's physical condition is relatively stable, and radiation is well tolerated. Second, starting radiotherapy at this time helps to eliminate possible residual cancer cells more effectively. After breast-conserving surgery, although the tumor has been removed, there is still a risk of local recurrence. Timely radiotherapy can reduce this risk and improve the treatment effect. Moreover, this time point is also selected to consider the connection to subsequent adjuvant therapy. Radiotherapy begins at this time, allowing for other treatments that may be needed later, such as chemotherapy, to ensure that the entire treatment process is carried out in an orderly manner. However, the specific time of radiotherapy needs to be considered in combination with the individual situation of the patient. For example, if a patient has postoperative complications that lead to a slower recovery, or if there are other factors that affect the delivery of radiotherapy, the timing of radiotherapy may need to be delayed appropriately. The doctor will make a comprehensive assessment and trade-off based on the patient's specific condition to determine the most appropriate time to start radiotherapy to ensure that the patient will benefit from radiotherapy while minimizing adverse effects and potential risks.