ECC Data Recommends Fewer but Stronger Doses of Radiation for Prostate Tumors

A large, randomized research study funded by Cancer Research UK found that fewer high-dose radiation doses were as effective as more number of low-dose radiotherapy in men with prostate cancer. The data from this CHHiP trial were presented at the 2015 European Cancer Congress.

The clinical trial recruited over 3000 men with prostate cancer from across the United Kingdom and treated them with various doses of radiotherapy:

· 74 Gy over 37 days

· 60 Gy over 20 days

· 57 Gy over 19 days

A 5-year follow up of these patients revealed no difference in outcomes measured as disease progression and long-term side effects. While short-term side effects were greater with the high-dose radiation immediately following treatment, they did not last and at 6 months and during the subsequent 5-year period, no difference in side effects was observed between the various cohorts.

This could mean fewer patient visits to the clinic or hospital to achieve the exact same outcome as standard treatment.

“The technique used to give the radiotherapy has led to low levels of side effects even with the higher daily dose. We have also shown that the 20 day schedule is at least as good at controlling disease as the current 37 day schedule. We estimate that over 150,000 trips to hospital could be saved per year,” said Emma Hall, deputy director of the Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, which coordinated the current study.