Evaluation of normal tissue complications in breast cancer re-irradiation: a meta-analysis study.

Background: In recent years, evidence has accumulated that a second method of conserving the breast from cancer with re-irradiation as part of treatment may be feasible and safe. Many oncologists are skeptical of breast re-irradiation due to concerns about late complications, so access to quantitative data on the prevalence of breast re-irradiation complications is very important. In this meta-analysis, we determine the prevalence of complications in normal tissue after breast re-irradiation.