Imaging technology can make radiation therapy safer for prostate cancer patients

By Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, July 25, 2023 (HealthDay News) — A technique that uses imaging technology as a guide may make radiation therapy safer for patients undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, according to a new research review.

The technology allows clinicians to precisely direct beams of radiation to the prostate, while avoiding the bladder, urethra and rectal tissues. This, in turn, reduces short-term side effects for patients, according to researchers who analyzed 29 published studies. They reported their findings online July 24 in the journal Cancer.

The technique is called Magnetic Resonance Guided Daily Adaptive Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (MRg-A-SBRT).

Reviewing studies involving more than 2,500 patients in total, researchers found that MRg-A-SBRT was associated with a 44% reduction in urinary side effects and a 60% reduction in intestinal side effects.

“The study is the first to directly assess the benefits of MRI-guided adaptive prostate radiation over another more standard, conventional form of radiation, and it provides support for the use of this treatment in the management of prostate cancer,” study co-author Dr. Jonathan Leman said in a press release. He is a radiation oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

Using this method, doctors can adjust a patient’s radiation therapy plan daily based on anatomical changes. They can also monitor the position of the prostate in real time while the radiation beam is activated.

Although it is becoming increasingly popular, it was unclear whether the technique had an impact on clinical outcomes and side effects compared to other means of delivering radiation.

Whether short-term benefits will lead to long-term benefits will require longer follow-up, Leeman said.

It is also unclear which aspect of the technology is responsible for the improved results.

“It could potentially be the ability for image-based monitoring during treatment or it could be related to the adaptive planning component. Further studies will be needed to untangle this,” Leeman said.

SOURCE: Cancerpress release, July 24, 2023

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