Results of a clinical research sponsored by Queen’s University Belfast show that men with prostate cancer may benefit from “radical radiation,” which administers treatment in five hospital visits rather than the usual 20.
The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and university researchers collaborated on the SPORT trial, a study evaluating stereotactic prostate radiation in high-risk localized prostate cancer.
The International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, the top radiation publication in the world, has published the findings.
That might have consequences for the more than 3,900 men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year in Ireland.
SABR, or stereotactic ablative body radiation, was a cutting-edge procedure that was given to the 30 men from Northern Ireland who took part in the trial.
Men can complete their entire course of treatment in just five hospital visits thanks to the precision with which this extreme radiotherapy targets specific cancers and shrinks tumors while administering high doses per treatment.
For busy radiation departments, this decrease in the number of treatments was also shown to be more efficient and economical.
Since prostate cancer is the most frequent malignancy in men, this therapy may have a significant effect on crowded radiotherapy facilities.
In addition, the study participants had a SpaceOAR, a minimally invasive hydrogel device, implanted before receiving radiotherapy treatment.
Prior to therapy, this gel was positioned between the prostate and intestines.
It was discovered to limit the bowel’s exposure to harmful radiation by 70%.
This made it possible for doctors to treat the prostate with a larger radiation dose without raising the risk of adverse side effects, especially gastrointestinal issues.
