Breast cancer: five radiotherapy sessions in a week

Five sessions in one week: that could be a shorter radiotherapy course for selected women with breast cancer. The Spanish Radiation Oncology Group (GEORM) highlights the option in Madrid, Spain, on Monday, 19 October, World Breast Cancer Day.

Radiotherapy uses radiation to treat possible cancer cells left in the breast or chest wall after other treatment. Where needed, it can also target nearby lymph nodes. GEORM, part of the Spanish Society of Radiation Oncology, says about 85% of breast cancer cases need radiotherapy to reduce the risk of the disease returning in breast or surrounding tissue.

Not every patient needs the same course. Dr Arantxa Eraso Urién, GEORM’s coordinator, says the decision depends on the type of surgery, the tumour, whether lymph nodes are affected and how the cancer responds to other treatments. Five-session treatment and radiotherapy focused on part of the breast are options for selected patients.

Ten-year results from the FAST-Forward trial support a dose of 26 Gy over five sessions in one week as an effective option for the patients studied. Its safety results were comparable with those of a 15-session course; GEORM does not make that same comparison for effectiveness.

A separate Spanish study found favourable results for late side effects after five years when an extra dose to the tumour site was included in the same five sessions. GEORM says that approach needs randomised trials before it can be confirmed.

Topics: Health

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com