Fraction size in external beam radiation therapy in the treatment of melanoma.
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.
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LDS Hospital, Radiation Therapy Center, Salt Lake City, UT 84143.
Cooper
J S
JS
Rush
S
S
Ago
C T
CT
Cosmatos
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D
Coughlin
C T
CT
JanJan
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Lipsett
J
J
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