Radiotherapy

I am not sure I understand this question. I can answer the following: Under what circumstances is radiotherapy considered necessary for women who DON'T undergo breast-conserving lumpectomies, but rather mastectomies? (I apologize if this is not the intended question.) Radiation is considered standard of care after lumpectomies (also called partial mastectomies). Radiation is also advised after mastectomy in certain clinical situations. And this is based on tumor size, extent of resection (ie were there positive margins at the time of mastectomy?), nodal status (and if so, how many nodes were involved?), and other factors associated with the mastectomy specimen that is reported by the pathologist. In general, radiation is suggested if the risk of local recurrence is significant enough to justify the risks. I am not sure I understand this question. I can answer the following: Under what circumstances is radiotherapy considered necessary for women who DON'T undergo breast-conserving lumpectomies, but rather mastectomies? (I apologize if this is not the intended question.) Radiation is considered standard of care after lumpectomies (also called partial mastectomies). Radiation is also advised after mastectomy in certain clinical situations. And this is based on tumor size, extent of resection (ie were there positive margins at the time of mastectomy?), nodal status (and if so, how many nodes were involved?), and other factors associated with the mastectomy specimen that is reported by the pathologist. In general, radiation is suggested if the risk of local recurrence is significant enough to justify the risks.