Shorter Course of Radiotherapy Could Benefit Prostate Cancer Patients

1. Men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer that demands intervention may find their course of treatment can be cut a little shorter with positive results. A recent clinical study has found that when modern precision radiotherapy techniques are used, treatment length can be cut in half with results that are still quite satisfactory. The trial in question involved more than 1,200 men who had been diagnosed with localized prostate cancer that was deemed of moderate risk. Using today’s precision radiation treatments, researchers found they were able to compress the course of radiation from eight to four weeks with very positive outcomes. Study participants were broken into randomized groups and were followed over the course of six years. In addition to similar outcomes from the two groups, researchers found that men who underwent the compressed course of treatment also tended to present with fewer side effects. This was

2. especially related to bowel function. The bottom line was that results were similar with the potential to help maintain a higher quality of life. Men who are diagnosed with moderate risk prostate cancer are likely to find their doctors recommending intervention. Surgery followed by radiotherapy or radiation on its own may be recommended, depending on the particulars of a man’s case. Whether compressed radiation treatments may be suggested may also vary from case to case and the availability of precision radiation tools. It is estimated that 160,000 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the coming year. While most of these men will find their tumors are low-risk, that is simply not always the case. If higher risk tumors are detected, men should discuss all treatment options with their healthcare providers. Precision radiation can provide a strong benefit in regard to outcome. As the study shows, it may also help men cut their treatment time in half while potentially lowering side effect risks.