A 5yr study shows Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) to treat prostate cancer offers a higher cure rate than more traditional approaches. The study found a 98.6% cure rate with SBRT, a noninvasive form of radiation treatment that involves high-dose radiation beams entering the body through various angles and intersecting at the desired target. It is a state-of-the-art technology that allows for a concentrated dose to reach the tumor while limiting radiation dose to healthy tissue.
“The high cure rate is striking when compared to the reported 5yr cure rates from other approaches like surgery or conventional radiation, which range between 80 – 90%, while the side effects of this treatment are comparable to other types of treatment,” said Dr. Raquibul Hannan. “What we now have is a more potent and effective form of completely noninvasive treatment for prostate cancer, conveniently completed in 5 treatments.”
Conventional treatment options for early stage prostate cancer include:
~Prostatectomy, surgical removal of the prostate gland, which can be done with minimally invasive techniques and robotic assistance;
~Brachytherapy, implantinb numerous small radioactive seeds about the size of a grain of rice into the prostate gland using multiple large needles inserted through the skin in the operating room. They release radioaction into the prostate gland;
~External beam radiation: 42 to 45 treatments over 2+ months, 5/wk
UT Southwestern served as the lead site for the multi-institutional clinical trial, which involved first-time prostate cancer patients diagnosed with stage I or stage II (low and intermediate risk) prostate cancer. A total of 91 patients were treated prospectively and followed for five years, with only one patient experiencing a recurrence of his cancer. The findings are published in the European Journal of Cancer.
In addition to shorter treatment times, researchers found that side effects were not necessarily different compared to other forms of prostate cancer treatment. In the short term, the side effects of SBRT can include urinary issues (urgency, frequency,burning) and rectal irritation, which are reversed within 4 weeks. There is a small risk of longer-term urinary and rectal complications, also comparable to conventional treatments. Decrease in erectile function was seen in 25% of patients, fewer than with conventional radiation or surgery, said Dr. Hannan.
To reduce the side effects associated with SBRT, current clinical trials at UTSW are using a unique and biodegradable rectal spacer gel to protect the rectum. UTSW is currently the only accredited site in Texas at which this spacer gel can be used. Other clinical trials at UTSW Department of Radiation Oncology are seeking to expand SBRT to high-risk (Stage III) prostate cancer patients. http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/newsroom/news-releases/year-2016/april/sbrt-hannan.html  http://www.ejcancer.com/article/S0959-8049(16)00129-5/abstract
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