Could 3 weeks of radiation be as good as 5 for breast cancer?

NCT ID NCT02912312

First seen Jan 11, 2026 · Last updated Jun 22, 2026 · Updated 30 times

Summary

This study compares a 3-week course of radiation to the standard 5-week course for breast cancer patients who need radiation to the lymph nodes. The goal is to see if the shorter schedule is just as effective at preventing cancer from coming back, while causing less arm swelling and other side effects. About 800 participants are being followed to track outcomes.

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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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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Baptist - MD Anderson Cancer Center

    Jacksonville, Florida, 32207, United States

  • Community MD Anderson Cancer Center East

    Indianapolis, Indiana, 46219, United States

  • Community MD Anderson Cancer Center North

    Indianapolis, Indiana, 49625, United States

  • Community MD Anderson Cancer Center South

    Indianapolis, Indiana, 46227, United States

  • Cooper Hospital University Medical Center

    Camden, New Jersey, 08103, United States

  • M D Anderson Cancer Center

    Houston, Texas, 77030, United States

  • MD Anderson Cancer Center (Banner)

    Gilbert, Arizona, 85234, United States

  • MD Anderson Cancer Center (Banner)- Northern Colorado

    Greeley, Colorado, 80631, United States

  • Ohio Health

    Columbus, Ohio, 43215, United States

  • Orlando Health Cancer Institute

    Orlando, Florida, 32806, United States

  • Scripps- MD Anderson Cancer

    San Diego, California, 92121, United States

  • UT Health San Antonio - MD Anderson Cancer Center

    San Antonio, Texas, 78229, United States

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Hypofractionated radiation therapy (shorter course of radiation)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could offer a shorter, more convenient radiation schedule for breast cancer patients, reducing arm swelling and other side effects.

What could go wrong

This is a Phase 2 trial, so results are still preliminary. The shorter schedule may not be as effective at preventing cancer recurrence, and side effects could differ.

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

breast neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

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