MONDAY, Oct. 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A new clinical guideline for early-stage prostate cancer supports the use of shortened courses of radiation therapy, according to an article published in Practical Radiation Oncology.
Scott C. Morgan, M.D., from the University of Ottawa in Canada, and colleagues conducted a systematic literature review to develop recommendations regarding moderately hypofractionated (240-340 cGy per fraction) and ultrahypofractionated (500 cGy or more per fraction) radiation therapy for localized prostate cancer. The American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Urological Association, and the American Society for Radiation Oncology developed the guideline collaboratively.
The expert task force reached a strong consensus for offering moderate hypofractionation across risk groups to patients choosing external beam radiation therapy. It made a conditional recommendation for ultrahypofractionated radiation for low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer but strongly encourages treatment of intermediate-risk patients in a clinical trial or multi-institutional registry. The task force also conditionally recommends against routine use of ultrahypofractionated external beam radiation therapy for high-risk patients. With any hypofractionated approach, image-guided radiation therapy and avoidance of nonmodulated three-dimensional conformal techniques is recommended.
“Men who opt to receive hypofractionated radiation therapy will be able to receive a shorter course of treatment, which is a welcomed benefit to many men,” Morgan said in a statement.
Several authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
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