The DBCG Proton Trial. Adjuvant Breast Proton Radiation Therapy for Early Breast Cancer Patients: The Skagen Trial 2, a Clinically Controlled Randomised Phase III Trial
The majority of early breast cancer patients are treated with adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) as part of their multimodal therapy. The aim of the RT is to lower the risk of local, regional and distant failure and improve survival. Modern RT is been provided with photon therapy. Now, more proton therapy facilities are opened, including in Denmark. Proton RT may have the potential to cause lower dose to heart and lung during breast RT. This trial will randomise patients between standard photon RT versus experimental proton RT. The primary endpoint is 10 year risk of heart disease.
• Patient operated for early breast cancer with indication for radiation therapy, where standard planning shows a mean heart dose 4 Gy or more and/or a V20 lung of 37% or more.
• Boost (breast, chest wall and nodal), breast reconstruction (any type, except implants with metal), connective tissue disease, post-operative surgical complications, any breast size and seromas are allowed
• Patient with previous non-breast malignancy is accepted if the patient has been without disease minimum 5 years, and the treating oncologist estimates a low risk of recurrence.
• Life expectancy minimum 10 years