2023-10-03 18:16:59
Men who need to undergo treatment for prostate cancer may receive much less radiation therapy.
This is revealed by a new study led by Professor Nicholas van As, from the Royal Marsden Hospital, a British medical center specializing in cancer.
According to research, doses can be reduced by three quarters, meaning that 5 higher radiotherapy sessions are sufficient, instead of the approximately 20 now administered.
That means thousands of men might receive higher doses of radiation therapy (also known as multibeam radiation therapy) at each hospital visit, but in fewer sessions.
The study, carried out internationally, involved almost 900 men with medium-risk prostate cancer that had not yet spread.
The results showed that following 5 years, 96% of men who received 5 high doses of radiotherapy were cancer-free, compared to 95% who received at least 20 doses of standard radiotherapy.
Side effects, such as the need to urinate more frequently, were low in both groups.
Researcher Nicholas van As stated that the results were “outstanding” for patients and that they represent a “huge change” in the treatment of a disease that is the fourth most suffered cancer worldwide, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
“They treated me very quickly”
Briton Alistair Kennedy-Rose, 64, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2014 following a blood test showed his prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were elevated.
“I didn’t have any symptoms, so it was a shock to find out I had cancer,” he told the BBC.
The British Alistair Kennedy-Rose participated in the research and underwent five radiotherapy sessions in one week.
The patient was treated at the Royal Marsden Hospital as part of the study which used the Cyberknife system, a robotic radiotherapy machine. He underwent all five sessions in the same week and did not receive hormone therapy.
“The treatment was quite simple. I had no side effects and everything ended very quickly, which allowed me to continue living my life to the fullest,” she indicated.
“They treated me so quickly that it is difficult to accept the fact that I once had cancer,” he added.
He currently undergoes annual testing to measure his PSA levels, which remain extremely low. He says doctors have told him that the treatment he received has likely cured him completely.
Synhormonal therapy
Researcher Nicholas van As estimates that in the UK regarding 8,000 men a year might meet the criteria to receive this treatment. That is, having intermediate-risk prostate cancer that has not spread.
The standard treatment in the UK is 20 doses of radiotherapy, but in other countries, such as the United States, up to 40 are used.
Another key element of the research was that none of the 874 men received hormone therapy to block testosterone, a factor that causes prostate cancer.
Hormone therapy has multiple side effects including severe fatigue, hot flashes, and decreased libido.
“It’s fantastic to see that this new type of therapy appears to be as effective as traditional radiotherapy and might help men receive treatment faster, more effectively and with fewer hospital visits,” said Simon Grieveson, deputy director of research at the organisation. Prostate Cancer UK.
Alistair Kennedy-Rose encouraged other men to get checked.
“It is vital that men over 50 have a routine PSA test or, if their doctor deems it necessary, an MRI,” he said.
“If the cancer is detected in time, they will be able to receive a simple treatment with the fewest side effects, from which I have fortunately benefited,” he concluded.
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