Posted on 03/25/2025 7:28:05 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
A large-scale study provides the strongest evidence yet that a shorter, standard-dose course radiation treatment is just as effective as conventional radiotherapy for prostate cancer, without compromising safety.
The shorter approach, known as isodose moderately hypofractionated radiotherapy (MHFRT), delivers slightly higher doses of radiation per session, allowing the total treatment duration to be over four to five weeks instead of seven to eight weeks.
Patients who received this type of MHFRT had the same cancer control rates as those who received conventional radiotherapy. Additionally, the risk of long-term side effects affecting the bladder and intestines was no higher with MHFRT, confirming its safety.
To better understand whether there might be an increased risk of toxicity with the delivery of a higher dose per day of radiation, Kishan and the team of researchers examined data from more than 5,800 patients across seven randomized clinical trials comparing standard therapy with two different MHFRT approaches: isodose MHFRT, which maintains the total radiation dose at a level similar to standard therapy; and dose-escalated MHFRT, which increases the total dose in hopes of enhancing tumor control.
The analysis found patients who received isodose MHFRT (60 Gy in 20 fractions) had similar cancer control and side effects compared to those receiving conventional radiation therapy, with no significant difference in the five-year progression-free survival (77.0% for MHFRT vs. 75.6% for conventional).
Patients who received higher dose-escalated MHFRT did not improve cancer control when compared to those receiving standard doses, with five-year progression-free survival rates being identical to conventional therapy (82.7% in both groups). Patient-reported outcomes also showed significantly higher gastrointestinal side effects (7.2% vs. 4.9%), particularly bowel issues.
"These findings reinforce isodose MHFRT as the standard of care, offering the same cancer control as conventional treatment but with fewer side effects than dose-escalated MHFRT," said Kishan.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
We can choose the isodose radiotherapy and have fewer complications, far fewer sessions and weeks, and have a five year progression free expectation of 77%.
The stats I found from the Brits show 98.6 cancer free and 6 years on.
I went with he 5 session / 40 Gy does. The intimal side effects were no fun, but faded after a couple of weeks.
The placing of the target was less than pleasant, by my oncologist was happy with the results.
My first blood test (PSA) came back as 0.03. Hopefully, it stays that way.
I had proton radiation 5 days a week for 23 sessions. My PSA is now 0.04 and has been for quite some time. I also had testosterone deprivation shots for a year. Remission is a good thing.
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12 years ago I was treated with proton radiation for my prostate cancer. 44 sessions. Outside of loose stools, no side effects from the treatment. I recently asked my doctor if my prostate cancer was cured since I had always been told that cancer is a disease that is never really cured, only goes into remission. He answered that I was cured as cured can be.
Fortunately may prostate cancer was caught at the earliest sage and I opted for the HIFU procedure. One day procedure, no pain, no chemotherapy follow up. Was able to mow grass the next day.
Guys get that yearly wellness exam with a PSA test.
I’m glad for you.
Me too. When exploring treatment methods I was leaning towards seed therapy when I discovered a brand new proton therapy facility in my community. It had just opened, in fact, I was their 120th patient.
I would like to see the trial expanded to include Ivermectin (IVM) vs radiation to treat cancer. What does Big Pharma have to lose? /s
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