A clinical trial at Loma Linda University’s James M. Slater, MD Proton Treatment and Research Center shows promising news for breast cancer patients.
The study, “Partial breast radiation therapy with proton beam: 5-year results with cosmetic outcomes,” reveals encouraging survival rates and cosmetic outcomes when proton therapy is used on patients with early stage invasive (non-lobular) breast cancer.
The phase-two clinical trial followed 100 patients who received proton therapy and were monitored for an average of five years following treatment. According to the results, the in-breast, recurrence-free survival rate was 97 percent with minimal side effects to the breast, lungs and heart. The cosmetic results determined by patients and physicians ranged from good to excellent in 90 percent of cases.
The study began in 2004 and represents the largest data available anywhere on this topic.
“With proton therapy the size of the radiation area is reduced significantly, lessening radiation exposure to the heart, lungs and other parts of the body. The proton beam allows us to do this better than any other type of radiation treatment,” said David Bush, MD, vice-chair of the department of radiation at Loma Linda University Medical Center and one of the study’s principal investigators.
“This study confirms that proton therapy effectively eradicates tumors while also preserving the cosmetic appearance of the breast,” Bush said. Click here to read more about the study.
Mary Hicks, who turned to proton therapy at Loma Linda University Medical Center in her fight against breast cancer, shares her story in an inspiring video. Watch her story here.