What are the functional outcomes of moderately hypofractionated and conventionally fractionated radiation therapy in men with prostate cancer?

This study aimed to investigate results reported by patients with prostate cancer following moderately hypofractionated (H-RT) or conventionally fractionated radiation therapy (C-RT). The main outcome was that men who had undergone H-RT showed greater improvements in sexual and hormonal activity than those who had undergone C-RT.

Radiation therapy (RT) is a common treatment for prostate cancer.  H-RT and C-RT are two different forms of radiation therapy used to treat prostate cancer. C-RT involves administering 1.8 to 2 Gy doses of radiation per session over 7 to 8 weeks. This has been the more commonly used approach. H-RT involves administering more than 2 Gy of radiation over a shorter time period (4 weeks). This may be more effective than C-RT.

However, patient-reported function outcomes after each type of RT are still under investigation.

This study included 17,058 patients with prostate cancer who had undergone H-RT and C-RT in England. All patients were sent a questionnaire at least 18 months after they had been diagnosed. This included analyzed urinary, bowel, sexual and hormonal activity, and quality of life. 

77% of patients who were sent the questionnaire responded. 64.2% had received C-RT and 35.8% had received H-RT. When compared to C-RT, H-RT was associated with small improvements in sexual and hormonal activity. There were no differences in urinary or bowel activity or quality of life between the two groups.

This study concluded that H-RT appeared to be more effective than C-RT for the treatment of prostate cancer in term of functional outcomes.

This study investigated patients in England only. Therefore the results may not be applicable to patients elsewhere.

If you have questions about the treatment of prostate cancer, please contact your doctor.