Two new studies show that we can halve the number of sessions of radiotherapy in women with breast cancer at an early stage, ie from 25 to 13 sessions with the same results or even an advantage in terms of tolerance.
Breast cancer radiotherapy and anti-recidivism
At the 43rd Congress of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) held in Chicago in early June, two British studies were presented.
These covered a total of 4400 women with breast cancer at an early stage and to receive radiotherapy. Divided into two groups, one following the standard protocol, other versions of "relaxed".
The classic method radiation, whose main objective is to minimize the risk of local recurrence, includes 25 sessions over 5 weeks, each delivering a radiation dose of 50 Gy (Gy, Gray abbreviation is the standard unit of international system for the measurement of radiation dose). As for versions, they are both in length and amount of radiation: 40 Gy in 13 sessions over 5 weeks or 40 Gy in 15 sessions spread over 3 weeks.
Breast cancer radiotherapy and anti-recidivism
At the 43rd Congress of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) held in Chicago in early June, two British studies were presented.
These covered a total of 4400 women with breast cancer at an early stage and to receive radiotherapy. Divided into two groups, one following the standard protocol, other versions of "relaxed".
The classic method radiation, whose main objective is to minimize the risk of local recurrence, includes 25 sessions over 5 weeks, each delivering a radiation dose of 50 Gy (Gy, Gray abbreviation is the standard unit of international system for the measurement of radiation dose). As for versions, they are both in length and amount of radiation: 40 Gy in 13 sessions over 5 weeks or 40 Gy in 15 sessions spread over 3 weeks.
Advantage to short radiation
After an average follow up of 6 years, no difference was observed between the three protocols in terms of relapse rates. However, the two protocols courts issuing lower doses were accompanied by increased tolerance. Side effects and aesthetic sequelae were lower.
This possibility to halve the radiation therapy is very beneficial at all levels. From the perspective of women: less radiation reduces side effects and fewer sessions reduces the time invested and anxiety. On medical and public: the more people treated with the same instrumentation and reduced cost by 50%. Health insurance may soon be interested in this new protocol of care ...
And finally, this comes at the peak after a few reported cases of vulnerability of software and equipment for radiotherapy.
After an average follow up of 6 years, no difference was observed between the three protocols in terms of relapse rates. However, the two protocols courts issuing lower doses were accompanied by increased tolerance. Side effects and aesthetic sequelae were lower.
This possibility to halve the radiation therapy is very beneficial at all levels. From the perspective of women: less radiation reduces side effects and fewer sessions reduces the time invested and anxiety. On medical and public: the more people treated with the same instrumentation and reduced cost by 50%. Health insurance may soon be interested in this new protocol of care ...
And finally, this comes at the peak after a few reported cases of vulnerability of software and equipment for radiotherapy.
