Evaluating long-term outcomes of stereotactic body radiation therapy for low- and medium-risk prostate cancer

This study aimed to investigate the safety and effectiveness of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) as a treatment for prostate cancer. This study found that SBRT is a safe and effective option for low and medium risk prostate cancer.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is a treatment option for prostate cancer. SBRT is different from typical radiation therapy treatment. It can be carried out in fewer treatments and is very precise. It delivers a higher dose of radiation per treatment from different directions. A treatment schedule could be 40Gy in 5 treatments. Gy is the unit of measurement for radiation. The long-term safety and effectiveness of SBRT are still unknown.

This study included 309 patients with prostate cancer treated with SBRT. 172 low-risk and 137 medium-risk patients were treated in 21 centers. They received 40Gy in 5 treatments. Patients were followed up for an average of 61 months. 

95.6% of patients were alive 5 years after treatment. 97.1% of patients were tumor free at 5 years. Low-risk patients had a tumor-free 5-year survival of 97.3%. This rate was 97.1% in the medium-risk group.

Side-effects were mainly minor, including diarrhea and skin soreness. 4 patients experienced more serious side-effects, such as blood in the urine. 

This study found that SBRT is an effective and safe treatment option for low and medium risk prostate cancer.

Late side-effects could occur after SBRT. Longer-term follow-up studies are needed.