According to a recently completed study, a single dose of radiation may be a good option for some breast cancer patients.
The study compared a single dose of targeted intraoperative radiation to traditional external beam radiotherapy of the whole breast in women with invasive ductal breast carcinoma undergoing breast-conserving surgery. Traditionally, these women have been treated with several weeks worth of radiation therapy to the whole breast after surgery to remove their tumors. However, we know that most recurrences occur very close to the original tumor, which opened the door to exploring more targeted radiation therapy.
Researchers found no significant difference in the rate of tumor recurrence between the two groups of patients. In addition, women who got a single dose of radiation during their surgery had less side effects from their radiation treatment.
This study is exciting on a number of levels. Because the radiation is given to a smaller, more targeted area of the body, it means that sensitive structures like the heart and lungs are less likely to be damaged. It also simplifies treatment, making it easier for patients because surgery and radiation can be completed in one brief hospital visit, instead of stretching out over weeks. In addition to appearing to be safer and easier for patients, it also saves precious healthcare dollars and frees up time in radiation therapy departments to serve more patients, more quickly.
Study researchers stress that these results are only applicable to women with a profile similar to those in TARGIT-A:
- Women aged 45 years or more
- Women with early invasive breast cancer
- Women who are good candidates for breast conserving surgery
- 82% of the patients were less than 70 years of age
While data from long-term follow-up and the results of another randomized trial from the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project B-39 are still needed, researchers feel that a single intraoperative dose is already the best choice for elderly breast cancer patients.
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References:
- Vaidya, J et al. Targeted intraoperative radiotherapy versus whole breast radiotherapy for breast cancer (TARGIT-A trial): an international, prospective, randomised, non-inferiority phase 3 trial. The Lancet Published Online June 5, 2010. DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(10)60837-9
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