Planning comparison of intensity modulated radiation therapy delivered with 2 tangential fields versus 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for cardiac sparing in women with left-sided breast cancer

Inverse-planned tangent IMRT does not reduce high-dose radiation to the heart compared with 3DCRT, incorporating a simple heart block in women with left-sided cancer and unfavorable cardiac anatomy when PTV coverage was equalized for both plans. In select patients with early-stage breast cancer and unfavorable thoracic anatomy, 3DCRT with heart block may be sufficient to adequately protect the heart from high-dose radiation.