Comparing three different methods of radiation therapy and their effects on quality of life in patients with prostate cancer

This article looked at the effects of radiation therapy on bowel and urinary function in patients with prostate cancer. Three different methods of radiation therapy were compared:intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), proton beam therapy (PBT) and 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT).

Radiation therapy is a common treatment for prostate cancer. The radiation beam is directed at the cancer, thus damaging and killing cancer cells. However, radiation therapy can also cause damage in the healthy tissue around the cancer, which can lead to many side effects. 3DCRT is a widely used method of radiation therapy. A number of beams are used, so that the irradiated area fits as exactly as possible to the shape of the tumor. This allows a higher amount of radiation to be targeted at the tumor, while reducing the toxicity to surrounding tissues. IMRT is an advanced type of "high-precision" radiation therapy. With IMRT, hundreds of irradiating beams are used, and each beam of radiation can be individually programmed to a different intensity. PBT uses a different type of radiation than IMRT and 3DCRT. PBT uses small particles called protons, which also damage cancer cells, but can be programmed to stop after penetrating a specific distance. This causes less harm to surrounding tissues and fewer side effects.

This study included 123 patients treated with 3DCRT, 153 patients treated with IMRT and 95 patients treated with PBT. All participants had localized (confined) prostate cancer. The effects of these three types of treatment on the patient's bowel and urinary quality of life were evaluated using information provided by the patients.

At the first follow-up visit, approximately 2-3 months after treatment, patients treated with 3DCRT and IMRT reported a decrease in the quality of life with regards to bowel symptoms. At 12 and 24 months after treatment this decrease in bowel quality of life was reported by all three treatment groups. Urinary symptoms were reported only in patients treated with IMRT at the first follow up, 2-3 months after treatment, but not in future follow ups. In the PBT group urinary symptoms were reported at 12 month after treatment. None of the three treatment groups reported a decreased urinary quality of life 24 months after treatment.

Overall, this study showed that each treatment method resulted in decreased quality of life. However, the time frame and severity varied with each treatment type.

It is important to note that radiation intensities were not the same for each patient, or between treatment groups. Also, patients were treated in a variety of hospitals following various protocols.

Consult with your physician on the best radiation therapy suited for your condition.