Phase IIIII Study Comparing Standard and Advanced Dose-escalated, Esophagus-sparing Radiation for Intrathoracic Tumors

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a new approach to palliative radiation therapy for patients with intrathoracic tumors related to lung cancers. This study compares standard thoracic radiation therapy with a specialized technique called hypofractionated, dose-escalated, esophageal-sparing intensity modulated radiation therapy IMRT. The goal is to see if this advanced radiation method can safely deliver higher doses to tumors while reducing side effects, potentially improving quality of life and survival. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the standard radiation therapy, which involves 20 Gray in 5 fractions or 30 Gray in 10 fractions, or the experimental hypofractionated radiation therapy delivering 35 Gray in 5 fractions. Both treatments use advanced planning techniques to target tumors while sparing the esophagus. The study allows concurrent systemic treatments and radiotherapy to other metastatic sites as deemed appropriate by the treating physicians. During the study, participants will be monitored from enrollment until 36 months after radiotherapy. Researchers will assess the time until significant quality of life decline or death, patient-reported quality of life outcomes, treatment-related side effects, tumor progression within the thorax, and overall survival. Follow-up visits will track these outcomes to understand the impact of the different radiation approaches on patient well-being and disease control.

An Evaluation of Dose-escalation for Intrathoracic Tumours