Cancer, Breast
Conditions
Brief summary
Randomized comparison between the FAST-FORWARD schedule and the HAI5 schedule for breast cancer radiotherapy in 5 fractions.
Detailed description
Previously, radiotherapy treatments for breast cancer usually consisted of 20-25 sessions to treat the entire breast, followed by an additional dose (boost) to the tumor bed of 4-8 sessions. Today, 15-16 treatment sessions have become standard for whole breast irradiation, followed by a boost if indicated. The durability of further shortening the treatment to 5 sessions was proven in the FAST and FAST-FORWARD studies. After 10 and 5 years, the outcome was comparable with 25 and 15 radiation sessions, both in terms of toxicity and locoregional control. There are currently 2 radiotherapy schedules in 5 sessions in use in Belgium (the FAST-FORWARD schedule and the HAI5 schedule), both of which have their advantages and disadvantages. In this project we want to investigate which schedule gives the fewest side effects and the best quality of life using questionnaires at different times (before, during and after radiation). Patients participating in the study will be randomized 1:1 between the FAST-FORWARD schedule and the HAI5 schedule. The first group is treated according to the FAST-FORWARD schedule, consisting of 5 radiation sessions on 5 consecutive working days (e.g. Monday to Friday). In the schedule 2 rest days are allowed, so that the treatment lasts a maximum of 7 days. The second group is treated according to the HAI5 schedule, developed by the radiotherapy department of Ghent University Hospital. In this schedule, at least 1 day of rest is scheduled between each treatment session, so the treatment is administered over 10-14 days.
Interventions
DEVICEQuestionnaire
Patients will be asked to complete questionnaires at different times (before, during and after radiation) to evaluate which schedule gives the fewest side effects and the best quality of life. The basic questionnaire and questionnaire about early side effects will be completed weekly up to 6 weeks after radiotherapy. The questionnaire about late side effects will be completed: after 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years and 5 years.
Sponsors
University Hospital, Ghent
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Masking description
Both healthcare provider and patient know the treatment
Intervention model description
Patients participating in the study will be randomized 1:1 between the FAST-FORWARD schedule and the HAI5 schedule. The first group is treated according to the FAST-FORWARD schedule, consisting of 5 radiation sessions on 5 consecutive working days (e.g. Monday to Friday). 2 rest days are allowed in the schedule, so that the treatment lasts a maximum of 7 days. The second group is treated according to the HAI5 schedule, developed by the radiotherapy department of Ghent University Hospital. In this schedule, at least 1 day of rest is scheduled between each treatment session, so the treatment is administered over 10-14 days.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* histopathological diagnosis of breast cancer * age 18 years or older * male or female * treated with breast conserving surgery or mastectomy with curative intent * multidisciplinary decision of adjuvant radiotherapy after surgery
Exclusion criteria
* distant metastases * decision of preoperative radiotherapy * decision of partial breast irradiation * positive resection margins ('ink on tumour') * indication for boost on lymph node(s) * history of thoracic or ipsilateral axillary radiotherapy (including radiotherapy of the contralateral breast or chest wall) * need for bilateral irradiation * breast reconstruction or expander * patients unlikely to comply with the protocol (e.g. inability or unwillingness to complete the questionnaires at different time points).
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Early side effects | Weekly up to 6 weeks after radiotherapy | To evaluate radiotherapy-related symptoms in the chest/chest wall weekly up to 6 weeks after radiotherapy, evaluated with the standardized EORTC QLQ-BR23 questionnaire. |
Countries
Belgium
Contacts
Primary ContactLiv Veldeman, MD, PhD
Backup ContactEmma Van Damme
Outcome results
None listed