Nearly 200 men from across Australia were given stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), an advanced form of therapy capable of providing radiation high doses, to small areas of cancer while sparing healthy tissue. Each treatment lasts less than 10 minutes and is delivered over a two week period. The results show 50 per cent of patients were free from treatment escalation for two years, and importantly, no patient experienced any severe long term side effects.
“This new Australian data gives hope to men living with metastatic prostate cancer. Unfortunately, this is an incurable condition with life expectancy of about five years. It is therefore extremely promising to see precision radiation therapy delay treatment progression for more than two years.
“About 25 per cent of patients in the study had less cancer burden three years after SBRT than they did before they received it, despite having no other treatment. A very small percentage of men have a zero PSA reading more than three years after the SBRT. They potentially have been cured, although we need longer follow up to confirm this finding” said Dr Pat Bowden, Icon Cancer Centre Principal Investigator and Radiation Oncologist.
Dr Pat Bowden (right), Icon Cancer Centre Principal Investigator and Radiation Oncologist, with patient Bill Gason
