Weekly Radiation Therapy for Low-Risk Prostate Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Menkarios Cathy, Vigneault Éric, Brochet Nicolas, Nguyen David HA, Bahary Jean-Paul, Jolicoeur Marjory, Beauchemin Marie-Claude, Villeneuve Hugo, Van Nguyen Thu, Fortin Bernard, Lambert Carole
Primary Institution: Department of Radiation Oncology, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Montréal, Québec, Canada
Hypothesis
A hypofractionated, weekly radiation therapy schedule will improve tumor control and reduce toxicity compared to traditional methods.
Conclusion
Weekly radiation therapy with 45 Gy in 9 fractions is feasible and results in comparable toxicity to traditional methods.
Supporting Evidence
- No treatment interruptions occurred during the study.
- The three-year actuarial biochemical control rate is 97%.
- Cumulative late grade ≥ 3 GI toxicity at 3 years was 11%.
- Acute GU toxicity was reported as grade 0 in 38%, grade 1 in 29%, and grade 2 in 29%.
Takeaway
Doctors gave patients radiation treatment once a week for nine weeks, and it worked well without causing too many side effects.
Methodology
A multi-institution phase I/II trial using 3D conformal radiation therapy for favorable-risk prostate cancer, delivering 45 Gy in nine 5 Gy fractions once weekly.
Limitations
The study did not use advanced radiation techniques like IMRT, which may limit the generalizability of the toxicity results.
Participant Demographics
Median age was 70 years, with clinical stages T1b (1%), T1c (71%), and T2a (28%).
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI for late grade ≥ 2 GI toxicity was 10% (5 to 19) at 19 months and 8% (2 to 19) at 31 months.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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