Split-Course Radiotherapy: Where Do We Stand?

Abstract

No clinically relevant difference between continuous and split-course radiotherapy could be found. This, of course, does not proof that there are indeed no differences but the data do not allow to draw clear-cut conclusions in favor of or against split-course radiotherapy due to methodological shortcomings of the studies.

Prognostic Significance of Nodal Ratio in Patients Undergoing Adjuvant Chemoradiotherapy After Curative Resection for Ampullary Cancer

“…Lastly, the split-course radiotherapy used in this study might have detrimental effect on local control; however, there was no significant difference between split course and continuous course in the review of randomized trials. 19 In conclusion, adjuvant chemoradiotherapy after curative resection may achieve a long-term survival rate in patients with ampullary cancer, although the details of treatment given in our study were rather variable. Nodal ratio and histologic differentiation are independent prognostic factors for these patients, and can serve as useful stratification factors in future trials.…”

Impact of radiation dose in postoperative radiotherapy after R1 resection for extrahepatic bile duct cancer: long term results from a single institution

“…This increased tumor burden may be one of the underlying causes. There are conflicting reports on impact of RT scheme on local control and survival, possibly biased by nature of patient cohort [ 23 – 25 ]. Thus, findings from current studied should be interpreted with caution.…”

Cost Effectiveness of Modified Fractionation Radiotherapy versus Conventional Radiotherapy for Unresected Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients

“…As a result, split-course RT is rarely used nowadays. 28 Also, concurrent chemotherapy and CRT is nowadays the treatment of choice for good performance status patients with locally advanced NSCLC. 29 However, as many patients are not eligible for concomitant chemo-radiotherapy treatment, 30 sequential chemotherapy and accelerated RT seems a promising treatment option.…”