Innovations: Prostate Cancer
Radiation, Chemotherapy Playing New Roles in Prostate Cancer Treatment
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New approaches to radiation therapy, molecular markers, active surveillance and more aggressive use of chemotherapy are all contributing to one of the most progressive times in prostate cancer treatments. For patients with aggressive forms of prostate cancer, research at Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin, across the country and around the world is revealing promising innovations that are changing treatment standards.
Changes in Radiation Therapy
One compelling example is the addition of radiation therapy for some high-risk patients. According to Colleen Lawton, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin radiation oncologist, hormone treatment alone has historically been considered the best course for patients with aggressive, locally advanced prostate cancer that has not metastasized (spread) to the bone. But two clinical trials have shown a benefit to adding radiation therapy.
“Both of those trials have shown a benefit to adding radiation in terms of cancer control and survival,” Dr. Lawton said. “Therefore, it’s critical that patients who have aggressive prostate cancer that has not spread to the bone be evaluated for radiation treatment in addition to hormone therapy. We now know we can cure many of these patients.”
Dr. Lawton cited two other recent studies that have shown a benefit to giving certain patients radiation therapy within three to six months after surgery. These studies looked at cases where, during surgery, microscopic cancer cells were found outside the prostate, or where surgery didn’t excise all of the cancer — known as having positive margins. For those patients, adding post-operative radiation improved their overall survival.
Additional radiation trials being developed nationally are looking at hypo-fractionation — giving radiation treatments in a shorter time — for example, less than three weeks as opposed to the traditional eight-week course, Dr. Lawton said. She is co-chairing one of these trials.
Colleen Lawton, MD Clinical Cancer Center
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