Summer 2016 : Cancer Frontline
Shorter radiation course recommended for early-stage breast cancer patients
photo illustration by Kellye Sanford
Early-stage breast cancer patients who received a shorter course of wholebreast radiation at higher doses reported equivalent cosmetic, functional and pain outcomes over time as those who received standard therapy consisting of a longer, lower-dose course of treatment, according to an MD Anderson study.
Published in the journal Cancer, the study found patient-reported functional status and breast pain improved significantly
following both radiation schedules, and there were no significant differences in physician-reported cosmetic evaluations.
With equivalent outcomes, the authors suggest the shorter course as the preferred option for patients because of a more convenient treatment schedule.
“In the United States, women historically have been treated with conventionally fractionated whole-breast irradiation (CF-WBI), given in smaller doses over a longer period of time, rather than hypofractionated whole-breast irradiation (HF- WBI), which consists of higher doses for a shorter treatment period,” explains Benjamin Smith, associate professor of Radiation Oncology.
Large randomized trials from Canada and the United Kingdom have established HF-WBI as a safe and effective treatment for nearly all patients with early-stage breast cancer. In previously published research, the authors showed patients receiving HF-WBI experienced less acute toxicity and post-radiation fatigue compared to those treated with CF-WBI.
However, the adoption of HF-WBI has been limited in the U.S. In fact, researchers note only one-third of patients for whom HF-WBI is currently recommended by the American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) actually receive the shorter course of therapy.
“This trial is particularly important because there is still some hesitation among clinicians in the U.S. about adopting the
hypofractionated schedule,” says lead author Cameron Swanick, M.D, a resident in Radiation Oncology. “Because American patients tend to have a higher prevalence of obesity, and because prior trials excluded certain patients with high body mass index, there has been this concern that the shorter radiation treatment course may not be as safe for American patients.”
The researchers continue to follow tumor control outcomes, though, to date, no meaningful difference in survival has been found. All outcomes will be reported once all patients have completed three-year follow-up.
The results of this and previous studies further support the use of HF-WBI as the preferred radiation therapy for early- stage breast cancer patients, explained Smith.
“At MD Anderson these shorter courses have become the standard of care.”
More Stories From Conquest

Space Suit Art Project lifts off
A unique collaboration spotlights the similar challenges faced by
children battling cancer and NASA astronauts

Surgeon. Engineer. Astronaut.
Orthopedic oncologist Robert Satcher has always reached for the stars

Broadening the immunotherapy attack
A successful immune attack that began with melanoma is being extended to
other cancers

The AGCTs of cancer
How MD Anderson researchers are working with The Cancer Genome Atlas to
unravel the mysteries of the disease

Inheriting a greater risk for cancer
Genetic testing can detect many hereditary cancer syndromes, allowing
for early prevention

A Healing Light
How lasers are used to attack ‘inoperable’ brain and spinal tumors

They made Jonathan Cope’s new jaw with a 3-D printer
Plastic surgery experts are using the technology to craft customized
body parts that replace those damaged by cancer

On this night, they’re not patients, just teens at prom
Prom Party Palooza gave teen cancer patients the chance to put cancer
aside and just have a good time

MD Anderson is helping an at-risk group beat nicotine addiction
People with psychiatric disorders are more likely to be smokers. A new
program is training community health providers to deliver tobacco
cessation services.