Combined radiation therapy used to treat unfavorable-risk prostate cancer

This study aimed to investigate the use of combined-modality radiation treatment (CRT) in the treatment of prostate cancer (PCa). This study found that CRT is an effective treatment for PCa. 

Radiation therapy can be delivered externally such as external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), or directly into the prostate using radiation seeds. This technique that delivers the beam directly into the prostate is called brachytherapy (BT). Prostate cancer can be treated using CRT. This involves EBRT followed by a boost of BT. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is another treatment option in PCa. ADT blocks the production of male hormones, such as testosterone, responsible for cancer growth. 

It is unclear how effective ADT followed by CRT is. 

This study included 425 men. They received ADT for one year followed by CRT. They were followed up for an average of 6.9 years.

Overall survival for this patient group was 95.4% at 5 years. It was 80.1% at 10 years. Survival without cancer returning was 92.8% at 5 years and 82.5% at 10 years. Survival without cancer spreading was 91.5% at 5 years and 88.8% at 10 years.

There were few side-effects more common in the first 3 months after treatment. There were less than 5% of patients complaining of problems in the genital, urinary and bowel systems after 5 years. 

This study found that CRT is a good treatment option for men with medium and high-risk PCa.