Which technique is ideal for large-breasted patients with left-sided breast cancer?

Prone breast irradiation is particularly beneficial for large-breasted patients, especially those with left-sided breast cancer, due to its ability to minimize radiation exposure to surrounding critical structures, such as the heart and lungs. When patients are treated in the prone position, the breast falls away from the chest wall, which effectively reduces the amount of healthy tissue receiving radiation. This is especially important in left-sided breast cancer treatment, as the left breast's proximity to the heart poses a significant risk for radiation-induced cardiac complications.

Moreover, prone positioning allows for better target coverage for larger breast volumes, ensuring that the tumor bed receives the prescribed dose while sparing surrounding tissues. This positioning can also help in improving the overall treatment plan by achieving a more uniform dose distribution and minimizing dose hot spots.

In contrast, other methods such as supine breast irradiation may not provide the same advantages for large-breasted patients since the breast tissue may still lay on or near vital organs, leading to potentially higher doses to those sensitive areas. Surgical intervention might address the cancer but does not directly pertain to the radiation treatment technique. Radiation therapy with kV beams can be effective, but it does not specifically address the unique challenges posed by large breast sizes in the context of heart protection. Thus