Newswise — Orlando, FL – July 16, 2013 – Traditionally, women undergoing radiation treatment for breast cancer go through a lengthy process receiving radiation five days a week, for nearly two months. Now, MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando is participating in a clinical trial that could shorten that treatment by a third, making it easier and more convenient for patients to get treated successfully for their cancer.
Randomized Trial of Hypofractionated Whole Breast Irradiation Versus Conventionally Fractionated Whole Breast Irradiation for Ductal Carcinoma in Situ and Early Invasive Breast Cancer 2010-0559
Patients on the study will either receive 4 weeks of radiation or the conventional 6 weeks. The four week course will deliver the equivalent amount of radiation over the shortened period, but will cut the number of treatments down by a third. Past studies have shown that giving radiation treatment faster may be as safe and effective as the standard longer treatment, without increasing the risk of side effects.
“If successful, this shorter treatment will be more convenient and less expensive for breast cancer patients, while ultimately providing these patients with the same benefit as regular radiation treatment, ” said Tomas Dvorak, MD, lead investigator of the study at MD Anderson – Orlando.
MD Anderson – Orlando is the only site in Florida offering this clinical trial which is available to breast cancer patients who have undergone a lumpectomy. Breast cancer still remains the second most common cause of cancer death in the U.S., but has a 95% cure rate if diagnosed and treated early.
For more information on this radiation study contact MD Anderson – Orlando at 321-841-1620 or visit http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01266642?term=2010-0559&rank=1.
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MD Anderson Cancer Center OrlandoMD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando, part of Orlando Health, is affiliated with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. U.S. News & World Report recently ranked MD Anderson Cancer Center as the top cancer treatment center in the U.S. and has ranked it as one of the top two cancer centers for the past 13 years. Orlando Health, a 1,882-bed community-owned, Florida not-for-profit organization established in 1918, annually serves nearly 2 million Central Florida residents and more than 4,500 international patients. More information is available at www.mdacco.com.
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