In a nutshell
This study investigated the effectiveness of prostate radiotherapy (RT) in prostate cancer (PC). They found that prostate RT may improve survival in men with PC and fewer than 5 bone metastasis (cancer that has spread to the bones).
Some background
Prostate cancer (PC) is a common and treatable cancer in men. One common type is metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. This is cancer that has spread to other organs but continues to respond to hormone therapy (HT). This HT is called androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). In some cases, prostate radiotherapy (RT) is also used.
Some studies suggest that RT improves outcomes in patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive PC. There is also evidence to suggest it is not beneficial. It is unclear if prostate RT slows cancer progression and improves survival.
Methods & findings
This study analyzed results from 2 clinical trials. 2126 men with metastatic hormone-sensitive were included in the trials. Patients were treated with prostate RT in addition to ADT or ADT alone. The authors compared survival rates in the trials. They also looked at the effect of RT on biochemical markers. One of these was prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Changes in PSA were an indication of cancer progression.
There was no evidence that prostate RT improved survival in these patients. However, the risk of cancer progression was improved by 26% in patients treated with RT. In one trial, patients with fewer than 5 bone metastases were 27% more likely to benefit from prostate RT.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that prostate RT may improve the risk of cancer progression. They also suggested that it may benefit the survival of patients with PC with fewer than 5 metastases to the bones.
The fine print
This analysis was very limited. Only 2 trials were included and not all data was available. More investigation is needed on RT in PCs.
Published By :
European Urology
Date :
Feb 28, 2019
