Shorter radiation may reduce arm swelling in breast cancer patients

NCT ID NCT02515110

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests a shorter course of radiation (hypofractionated) to the breast and nearby lymph nodes in 137 women with node-positive breast cancer. The goal is to see if this approach reduces arm swelling (lymphedema) and other side effects while still preventing cancer from coming back. Participants are grouped by their surgery type and followed for 3 years.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

External beam radiation therapy (hypofractionated)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could offer a shorter, more convenient radiation schedule with fewer long-term side effects like arm swelling.

What could go wrong

This is a single-arm phase 2 study with no comparison group, so results are preliminary. The shorter schedule may not control cancer as well as standard radiation.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

breast adenocarcinoma breast cancer breast carcinoma in situ breast neoplasm invasive breast carcinoma lobular breast carcinoma in situ

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • VCU Community Memorial Healthcenter

    South Hill, Virginia, 23970, United States

  • Virginia Commonwealth University/Massey Cancer Center

    Richmond, Virginia, 23298, United States