Home → Symptoms & Diagnosis → Types of Breast Cancer → Ask-the-Expert Conferences: Types of Breast Cancer → October 2006: Inflammatory Breast Cancer → Twice-a-day radiation more effective with IBC?

Twice-a-day radiation more effective with IBC?

Page last modified on: October 13, 2008

Question from Krysti: Have there been studies that show that twice-a-day radiation is more effective with IBC? Should it be standard protocol for IBC?: Answer —Thomas Buchholz, M.D.: At M.D. Anderson, for many years we've been investigating whether giving radiation twice a day instead of once a day leads to an improved outcome. The information we have from our own institutional experience leads us to be optimistic about this approach. The theory behind giving twice-a-day radiation is that you can complete the treatment in a shorter period of time and therefore have less of a chance of the IBC tumor cells growing during the course of treatment. The treatments, however, have some side effects and risks that also need to be considered. In addition, this approach hasn't been thoroughly studied in a big head-to-head comparative trial, in part because IBC is a rare disease. I would hate to say that giving once-a-day radiation is wrong. It remains the most common radiation delivery schedule given in the United States. I do think it is reasonable to consider twice-a-day radiation, given the good results that have been reported by investigators at M.D. Anderson.

On Wednesday, October 18, 2006, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Gabriel Hortobagyi, M.D., Thomas Buchholz, M.D., and moderator Jennifer Sabol, M.D. answered your questions about inflammatory breast cancer, a rare but aggressive form of breast cancer.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Gabriel N. Hortobagyi, M.D., F.A.C.P. chairs the department of breast medical oncology and directs the Breast Cancer Research Program at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, where he also serves as professor of medicine and holds the Nellie B. Connally Chair in Breast Cancer.

Thomas A. Buchholz, M.D. is professor of radiation oncology at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Buchholz' research includes the role of radiation treatment in preventing breast cancer recurrence and whether certain genes may be able to predict how breast cancer responds to treatment.

Jennifer Sabol, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a breast surgeon who directs the newly developed Breast Care Center at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, Pa. Among her many interests, Dr. Sabol spearheads several research initiatives to advance the care for women with breast cancer and improve methods of breast cancer detection and treatment.