BACKGROUND: The purpose of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of altered radiation fraction size on outcomes for early @entity0 @entity1 . METHODS: A search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, WEB OF SCIENCE, Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrials.gov was conducted. Quality of the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or non-RCTs were evaluated according to Cochrane's risk of bias tool or Methodological Index for non-Randomized Studies (MINORS). Pooled risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Subgroup analysis was applied according to different fraction dose and sensitivity analysis was performed according to RCTs or non-RCTs. RESULTS: 23 studies were included in this systematic review. Meta-analysis demonstrated hypofractionation radiotherapy (HFRT) was associated with decreased grade 2/3 acute skin reactions compared with conventional fraction RT (CFRT), either 2.5-3.0  Gy per fraction or 5.0-6.5  Gy per fraction. HFRT with 2.5-3.0  Gy per fraction significantly decreased moderate/marked photographic changes in breast appearance compared with CFRT [RR  =  0.80, 95% CI (0.70, 0.91), P  =  0.001], while HFRT with more than 3.0  Gy per fraction significantly increased moderate/marked photographic changes [RR  =  1.21, 95% CI (1.06, 1.38), P  =  0.004]. In addition HFRT cost one-third lower than CFRT. Regarding to local regional recurrence, distant metastasis, overall survival, disease free survival, excellent/good cosmetic comes, symptomatic @entity1207 , @entity741 and symptomatic @entity174 , there was no significant difference between two arms. CONCLUSIONS: Based on available evidence, HFRT with 2.5-3.0  Gy per fraction should be the better choice for treatment of early @entity0 @entity1 .

Systematic review and meta-analysis comparing hypofractionated with conventional fraction radiotherapy in treatment of early XXXX .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity0 :: ('MESH:D001943', 'Disease') :: ['breast cancer'] @entity174 :: ('MESH:D050723', 'Disease') :: ['rib fracture'] @entity1207 :: ('MESH:D017564', 'Disease') :: ['radiation pneumonitis'] @entity741 :: ('MESH:D017202', 'Disease') :: ['ischemic heart disease']
@entity0 :: (MESH:D001943,Disease) :: ['breast cancer']
