Results from the ICORG 05-03 Study – Randomised Phase III Trial of Two Fractionation Schemes in the Treatment of Malignant Spinal Cord Compression – were presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology’s (ASTRO) meeting in San Francisco on Monday 15th September.
The study determined that the one single dose of 10Gy of radiation therapy will deliver the same mobility and stability benefits for the patient as four doses of 5Gy (total 20Gy) of radiation therapy.
It is the first Irish study ever to be featured at the plenary session of a major US medical educational conference and Dr Thirion’s plenary presentation was one of only four selected from more than 2000 submissions from all over the world.
Malignant spinal cord compression (MSCC) is a complication of metastatic cancer that occurs when a tumour secondary deposit presses on the spinal cord and nerves. This pressure exposes patients to neurological damage that can result in pain, loss of muscle strength and function of one or more of the senses and in some cases paralysis of one limb or the whole body. Almost 400 people in Ireland suffer from MSCC each year and many are in palliative care at the time.
The ICORG Study involved 116 Patients from 5 Centres – St Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network, Galway University Hospital, Cork University Hospital, Belfast City Hospital and Whitfield Clinic in Waterford. Patients were randomised into two groups – Group one received 20GY of radiation treatment over five days and Group two received 10Gy of radiation therapy in one dose.
Interviews can be arranged with Dr Thirion to discuss these results by contacting the ICORG office at
+ 353 1 6677211