Faster vs. standard radiation therapy for breast cancer with lymph node involvement

Plain-English translation of NCT06559540 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated January 2026 · Translation generated June 2026 ·

What is this trial?

This trial is testing whether a newer, faster radiation therapy schedule can work as well as the current standard treatment for breast cancer patients whose cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes. In this study, some patients will receive ultra-hypofractionated radiation therapy (5 high-dose treatments over one week), while others receive the standard hypofractionated approach (16 treatments over three to four weeks). Researchers want to see if the faster treatment is equally effective and safe, especially when treating the lymph nodes.

While faster radiation therapy has been successful for treating just the breast after surgery, doctors don't yet know if it's safe and effective when also treating the lymph nodes, since the radiation exposure to surrounding tissues like the heart, lungs, and arm is greater. This trial will help answer that important question and potentially offer patients a treatment option that takes less time while maintaining the same cancer-fighting benefits.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have been diagnosed with invasive breast cancer that has spread to one or more lymph nodes under the arm
you have had surgery (either a partial mastectomy or full mastectomy) with clear margins and lymph node surgery
you are 18 years or older at the time of diagnosis
you are a female English speaker with an ECOG performance status of 0 or 1 (able to carry out normal daily activities)
you are willing to receive all radiation therapy at Barnes-Jewish Hospital or a Siteman Cancer Center satellite location

You likely don't qualify if…

you have distant metastases (cancer that has spread to other parts of your body)
you have had prior radiation therapy that would overlap with the planned radiation area
you have been diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, or dermatomyositis
you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study
more than ten weeks have passed since your breast cancer surgery, or more than eight weeks have passed since you completed chemotherapy

What participation looks like

If you join this trial, you will be randomly assigned to receive either the faster one-week radiation schedule (5 treatments) or the standard three-to-four-week schedule (16 treatments), both targeting the breast or chest wall and lymph nodes. You will have regular follow-up visits to check for side effects, healing, and cancer recurrence, and researchers will also collect blood samples to study markers related to heart and tissue damage. The trial will track your quality of life, appearance of the treated area, and long-term outcomes over time.

Faster vs. standard radiation therapy for breast cancer with lymph node involvement

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(1 site)