Would you initiate radiation before chemotherapy for the treatment of early stage breast cancer?

The data doesn’t suggest difference in outcome based on sequence but by convention chemo is done before RT. That being said, if for logistical reasons it helps to do RT before chemo then I would do RT before chemo

I also start radiation before chemotherapy when we are still waiting for the Oncodx score and a good 2-3 weeks is needed,

With Hypofractionation we can complete the XRT in 3 weeks.

I also agree with @Dr. First Last and @Dr. First Last.

There have been multiple randomized studies comparing radiation first vs chemo first, and in general they show no significant difference. The standard has evolved to do chemotherapy first as early reports of the first of these studies suggested a survival benefit, but subsequent reports have essenti...

Agree with above as well.

As we continue to increase our use of APBI, this is routinely done without issues in my experience.

Patients may prefer getting their chemo before XRT because--

1. The chemo is harder. Get that over with first, and then the radiation is a "cake walk." There seems to be a looming psychological cloud on patients who ring the bell after completing radiation, only to have to dive into systemic chemothe...