Hypofractioned radiotherapy in prostate cancer: Is it the next step? - Abstract

There are many available options for prostate cancer treatment, including active surveillance, surgery, brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy.

Based on a radiobiological rationale, which considers the prostate tumor as a low α/β tumor, the use of higher and fewer fractions to prostate cancer external beam radiotherapy treatment has been proposed. Instead of the traditional fractions of 1.8-2.0 Gy per day, fractions higher than 2 Gy per day were the subject of a number of studies. In addition, new technologies such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy, image-guided radiation therapy, volumetric-modulated arch therapy and others have emerged as background for changing paradigms. Meanwhile, moderate and ultra-hypofractionation have been the subject of studies in recent years. Some moderate hypofractionation data from randomized controlled trials are ready to use, though other non-inferiority data are still lacking. The data on ultra-hypofractionation are still very new and require further evaluation to determine its long-term safety and efficacy.

Written by:
Moraes FY, Siqueira GM, Abreu CE, da Silva JL, Gadia R.   Are you the author?
Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital Sírio Libanês, Rua Dona Adma Jafet, 91, São Paulo, Brazil.

Reference: Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2014 Nov;14(11):1271-6.
doi: 10.1586/14737140.2014.972380

 
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25367322

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