The Current Trend of Radiation Therapy for Patients with Localized Prostate Cancer

Abstract

A recent approach to radiotherapy for prostate cancer is the administration of high doses of radiation to the prostate while minimizing the risk of side effects. Thus, image-guided radiotherapy utilizes advanced imaging techniques and is a feasible strategy for increasing the radiation dose. New radioactive particles are another approach to achieving high doses and safe procedures. Prostate brachytherapy is currently considered as a combination therapy. Spacers are useful to protect adjacent organs, specifically the rectum, from excessive radiation exposure.

Lonidamine Induced Selective Acidification and De-Energization of Prostate Cancer Xenografts: Enhanced Tumor Response to Radiation Therapy

“…External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) and Brachytherapy (BT) are the most common radio-therapeutic techniques used in the treatment of prostate cancer. EBRT delivers ionizing radiation generated by an external radiation source in effective doses of 50-80 Gray (GY), improving overall survival for most patients [12]. The therapeutic radiation dose delivered in EBRT therapy is split into fractions in a process called conventional fractionation to lessen the toxicity in normal tissues associated with a single large dose of radiation; the therapy is performed over 8-9 weeks and is delivered in 39-45 fractions of 1.8 GY to 2 GY per fraction [12].…”

“…EBRT delivers ionizing radiation generated by an external radiation source in effective doses of 50-80 Gray (GY), improving overall survival for most patients [12]. The therapeutic radiation dose delivered in EBRT therapy is split into fractions in a process called conventional fractionation to lessen the toxicity in normal tissues associated with a single large dose of radiation; the therapy is performed over 8-9 weeks and is delivered in 39-45 fractions of 1.8 GY to 2 GY per fraction [12]. Hypo-fractionated EBRT uses fewer higher-dose fractions (19-28) of 2.5 GY to 3.4 GY per fraction for similar but potentially improved cancer control compared to the standard [12].…”

“…The therapeutic radiation dose delivered in EBRT therapy is split into fractions in a process called conventional fractionation to lessen the toxicity in normal tissues associated with a single large dose of radiation; the therapy is performed over 8-9 weeks and is delivered in 39-45 fractions of 1.8 GY to 2 GY per fraction [12]. Hypo-fractionated EBRT uses fewer higher-dose fractions (19-28) of 2.5 GY to 3.4 GY per fraction for similar but potentially improved cancer control compared to the standard [12]. BT is a form of treatment where radiation is delivered internally through surgically implanted radioactive seeds or capsules, permitting the delivery of a more significant radiation dose than other RT treatments [12].…”

“…Hypo-fractionated EBRT uses fewer higher-dose fractions (19-28) of 2.5 GY to 3.4 GY per fraction for similar but potentially improved cancer control compared to the standard [12]. BT is a form of treatment where radiation is delivered internally through surgically implanted radioactive seeds or capsules, permitting the delivery of a more significant radiation dose than other RT treatments [12]. In Low Dose Rate BT, radioactive seeds are permanently implanted into the prostate, delivering an average dose of 0.1 GY/h for several months, with an effective total dose of 120-160 GY depending on the type of seed used and the specific patient situation and tumor status [12].…”

“…BT is a form of treatment where radiation is delivered internally through surgically implanted radioactive seeds or capsules, permitting the delivery of a more significant radiation dose than other RT treatments [12]. In Low Dose Rate BT, radioactive seeds are permanently implanted into the prostate, delivering an average dose of 0.1 GY/h for several months, with an effective total dose of 120-160 GY depending on the type of seed used and the specific patient situation and tumor status [12]. In High-Dose Rate BT, temporary catheters are inserted in the prostate, where radiation is delivered in greater doses of 27-35 GY in several fractions [13].…”