Proton Radiation for Stage II/III Breast Cancer (NCT01758445)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
The purpose of this study is to look at the rates of acute and long term adverse events of postoperative proton radiotherapy for complex loco-regional irradiation in women with loco-regionally advanced breast cancer. This study specifically includes longitudinal follow up to assess the incidence of cardiac mortality and second malignant neoplasms at 10 and 15 years following proton therapy(PT).
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (7 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (12 items).
Location: Northwestern Medicine Chicago Proton Center — Warrenville, Illinois
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- Weight over 410 pounds.
- Non-epithelial breast malignancies such as sarcoma or lymphoma.
- Surgical margins that cannot be microscopically assessed or are positive at pathologic evaluation. (If surgical margins are rendered free of disease by re-excision, the patient is eligible).
- Breast size exceeding the technical limitation of daily set-up reproducibility. This may be center-specific and will be assessed at the discretion of the treating center.
- Women with post-surgical temporary breast expanders will require individual assessment. Depending on the manufacturing product and other treatment planning-specific details the patient may be eligible or may be deemed ineligible, as determined by treating investigator.
- Prior history of breast cancer.
- Prior radiation to the breast or thorax.
- Collagen vascular disease, specifically dermatomyositis with a CPK level above normal or with an active skin rash, systemic lupus erythematosis, or scleroderma.
- Pregnancy or lactation at the time of proposed study entry. Women of reproductive potential must agree to use an effective non-hormonal method of contraception during therapy such as an intrauterine device or condom with spermicide. (Note: Women of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 3 weeks of study registration).
- Psychiatric or addictive disorders or other conditions that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude the patient from meeting the study requirements.
- Prior history of non-breast malignancies unless they have been disease free for 5 or more years and are deemed by their physician to be at low risk for recurrence. Further, patients who have the following cancers treated within the prior 5 years are permitted: carcinoma in situ of the cervix, carcinoma in situ of the colon, melanoma in situ, basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (5 Sites)
- Northwestern Medicine Chicago Proton Center — Warrenville, Illinois
- Maryland Proton Treatment Center — Baltimore, Maryland
- Princeton ProCure Managment LLC — Somerset, New Jersey
- Oklahoma Proton Center — Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute — Hampton, Virginia
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.