Radiation therapy giving medical experts equivalent results as surgery

Strong doses of radiation therapy delivered with precision are giving medical experts equivalent results to surgery in prostate cancer patients.

Strong doses of radiation therapy delivered with precision are giving medical experts equivalent results to surgery in prostate cancer patients.

Liverpool Hospital is part of a trial that is only available in a handful of sites across Australia, and radiation oncologist Mark Sidhom said stereotactic radiotherapy would become the norm in a few years.

“The precise dose is resulting in less injury to other organs, particularly the bowel,” Dr Sidhom said.

“Effectively, we can deliver two weeks worth of radiation in just three minutes.”

While he said the process was quicker, it was not the reason for the trial — it is to provide patients with a less invasive alternative to surgery.

“We have people coming to us not wanting to have surgery. And For the first time, we have cutting edge treatment that is likely to be identical cure rates to surgery.”

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Dr Sidhom said they now had the ability to watch the prostate during treatment — something they’ve only been able to do for the last three months.

“If it moves, even by a few millimetres, we can stop treatment, reposition and resume.”

While the trial is only in the early stages, Dr Sidhom is confident, with patients showing almost no side effects, even 18 months on.

“This treatment, within a couple of years, will be booming ... not just here, but around the world.”

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Determining suitable candidates is not limited by age, but Dr Sidhom said someone over the age of 80 probably wouldn’t be suitable, instead opting for standard radiotherapy.

“They need to be well, fit men with good urinary function. And be able to have an MRI — that is critical,” he said.

“Early data has been very encouraging with patients tolerating the treatment extremely well and the cancer response being obvious with a dramatic fall in prostate specific antigens (PSA) which are protein levels produced by cells of the prostate gland that are usually elevated in men with prostate cancer.”

“We are excited to be at the forefront of prostate cancer research at Liverpool Hospital, offering men in the area very advanced treatment options.”

FIGHTING CANCER

■ Two trips to the hospital for treatment, each for three minutes

Equivalent to two weeks worth of standard radiotherapy

■ 30th patient currently being treated under the Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre trial

■ Almost no side effects in patients. Patients will be monitored for five years following treatment