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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01849614

Assessment of Ability of Breath Hold for Left-sided Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy to Reduce Side Effects to Heart

The purpose of this research study is to demonstrate that Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH), the technique used at the University of North Carolina (UNC) for left-side breast cancer radiation therapy, can reduce side effects to the heart.

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Key information

Age range

18 year–99 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Observational

Primary location

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Radiation Oncology

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States

About this study

The primary objective of this study is to estimate the rate of radiation-associated regional myocardial perfusion defects in patients 6 months after breast/chestwall radiation with DIBH for left-sided breast cancer. Cardiac perfusion will be assessed using SPECT cardiac perfusion scans pre- and 6 months post-radiation.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • signed an Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved informed consent document for protocol
  • age >= 18 years
  • histologically confirmed left-sided breast cancer scheduled to undergo curative intent radiation treatment post lumpectomy or mastectomy
  • stage 0-III left-sided breast cancer (including DCIS)
  • SPECT score of 0 at baseline
  • radiation oncologist agrees target volume coverage will not be compromised via use of the DIBH technique along with conformal field shaping

Exclusion criteria

  • active cardiac disease, defined as a history of angina, arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, or any other cardiac condition, which in the opinion of the treating physician would make this protocol unreasonably hazardous for the patient
  • symptomatic pulmonary disease currently requiring regular medication including but not restricted to bronchodilators
  • concurrent chemotherapy
  • prior receipt of mediastinal radiation therapy
  • pregnant or lactating women
  • inability to understand and follow breathing instructions for the DIBH procedure

Treatment and study plan

Cardiac SPECT perfusion scan

Other

A SPECT cardiac perfusion scan provides a three-dimensional map of blood flow to the heart tissue. The scan will be taken at rest only.

Primary outcomes

  1. Changes in cardiac perfusion

    Time frame: 6-months post radiation

    Cardiac perfusion will be assessed using SPECT cardiac perfusion scans pre- and 6 months post-radiation. Any post-radiation summed-rest score (SRS) > 0 will be counted as a perfusion defect in the calculation of the perfusion defect rate.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Wall-motion abnormalities

    Time frame: 6-months post-treatment

    The incidence of wall-motion abnormalities will be assessed using SPECT in the same 12 segment scoring system used to quantify perfusion. Wall-motion abnormalities will be recorded as present or absent in each cardiac segment. When present, wall-motion abnormalities wil be classified as gypokinetic, akinetic, or dyskinetic. The extent of wall involvement (small or large portion) will be described as mild or severe.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Prospective Pilot Study of Assessment of Breath Hold as a Means to Mitigate the Risk of Radiation-associated Reductions in Regional Cardiac Perfusion in Patients With Left-sided Breast Cancer

Important dates

Study start
2013
Primary completion
2016
Study completion
2016
First posted
May 8, 2013
Registry last updated
May 12, 2016

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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