title: Fraction size in external beam radiation therapy in the treatment of melanoma.
abstract: RTOG 83-05 was a prospective randomized trial evaluating the effectiveness of high dose per fraction irradiation in the treatment of melanoma. Retrospective analysis suggested a dose response curve of melanoma to external beam irradiation as the dose per fraction is increased. RTOG 83-05 randomized patients with measureable lesions to 4 x 8.0 Gy in 21 days once weekly to 20 x 2.5 Gy in 26-28 days, 5 days a week. One hundred thirty-seven patients were randomized and 126 patients were evaluable: 62 patients in the 4 x 8.0 Gy arm and 64 patients in 200 x 2.5 Gy arm. Patient characteristics were essentially identical. Stratification was performed on lesions less than 5 cm or greater than or equal to 5 cm. The study was closed on May 31, 1988 when interim statistical analysis suggested that further accrual would not reveal a difference between arms. Response rate overall was complete remission 23.8%, partial remission 34.9%. The 4 x 8.0 Gy arm exhibited a complete remission of 24.2% and partial remission of 35.5%. The 20 x 2.5 Gy arm exhibited a complete remission of 23.4% and partial remission of 34.4%. There was no difference between arms.
authors.affiliation: LDS Hospital, Radiation Therapy Center, Salt Lake City, UT 84143.
authors.forename: W T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Sause
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rush
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Ago
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cosmatos
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Coughlin
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: JanJan
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lipsett
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D013997:Time Factors