Skip to main content

Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Viable Alternative for Localized Prostate Cancer

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Oct 17, 2024.

By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, Oct. 17, 2024 -- Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is noninferior to conventional or moderately fractionated radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer (PC), according to a study published online Oct. 16 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Nicholas van As, from the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, and colleagues assessed whether SBRT is noninferior to conventionally or moderately hypofractionated regimens in patients with localized PC. The analysis included patients randomly assigned to SBRT (36.25 Gy in five fractions over one or two weeks) or control radiotherapy (78 Gy in 39 fractions over 7.5 weeks or 62 Gy in 20 fractions over four weeks).

The researchers found that at a median follow-up of 74.0 months, the five-year incidence of freedom from biochemical or clinical failure was 95.8 percent in the SBRT group and 94.6 percent in the control radiotherapy group (unadjusted hazard ratio for biochemical or clinical failure, 0.73; 90 percent confidence interval, 0.48 to 1.12; P = 0.004 for noninferiority). The cumulative incidence of late Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) grade ≥2 genitourinary toxic effects at five years was 26.9 percent with SBRT and 18.3 percent with control radiotherapy (P < 0.001). For RTOG grade ≥2 gastrointestinal toxic effects, the cumulative incidence was 10.7 percent and 10.2 percent, respectively (P = 0.94).

“Five-fraction SBRT is a robust and viable alternative to moderately fractionated radiotherapy for prostate cancer, offering equivalent efficacy with enhanced convenience for patients,” the authors write.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Posted October 2024

Read this next

Survivorship Interest, Knowledge Limited in Head and Neck Cancer Survivors

TUESDAY, May 13, 2025 -- About one-third of head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) survivors who have undergone radiation therapy (RT) are interested in, prioritize, and have...

Since 2010, Fewer Prostatectomies Being Performed for Lowest-Risk Prostate Cancer

TUESDAY, May 13, 2025 -- Since 2010, there has been a decrease in the proportion of prostatectomies that are pathologic grade group 1 (pGG1), according to a study published online...

Ultra-Hypofractionated Radiotherapy Noninferior for Prostate Cancer

THURSDAY, May 8, 2025 -- Ultra-hypofractionated (UHF) radiotherapy delivered over two weeks is noninferior to conventionally fractionated (CF) radiotherapy delivered over eight...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.