High-Dose Conformal Radiotherapy Beneficial for Prostate Cancer Patients

David Dearnaley from the Institute of Cancer Research and Royal Marsden Hospitals (both in Sutton, UK), chief investigator of the trial.

The researchers randomized 843 patients with prostate cancer to receive either a standard dose of radiotherapy (64 Gy) or an escalated dose of radiotherapy (74 Gy). Dr. Dearnaley explained, "the dose increase was made possible by using a new more precise radiation treatment method called conformal radiotherapy.”

The researchers discovered that the high dose of radiotherapy helped prevent the recurrence of prostate cancer, and reduced the need for additional hormone treatment. "However, the higher radiation dose did slightly increase bowel side effects,” added Dr. Dearnaley.

The study's results were reported in the May 4, 2007, online issue of the journal The Lancet Oncology.


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