Beam radiation help treat prostrate cancer

Washington: An external beam radiation may be an effective alternative to both conservative and more invasive treatments, for men under the age 55 with localised prostate cancer, a new study says.

At the moment physicians tend to recommend more aggressive treatments, such as radical prostatectomy, to younger patients, even those with local, non-met static disease.

Older patients diagnosed with similar organ-limited disease however, are offered more choices, including external beam radiation therapy.

The study was conducted by a team of researchers led by M D , M B A , M.A, Clinical Research Director, Radiation Oncology Department, Andre Konski, at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia.

As a part of the study, the researchers compared how men 55 and under fared five years after diagnosis compared to men between 60 and 69.

And men 70 and over, looking at survival, disease progression, and whether blood tests (PSA) showed signs of disease recurrence.

After treating these men, all of who had localised prostate cancer, with external beam radiation, the researchers found no statistically significant differences in the outcomes of these three age groups after five years.

It only showed that the external beam radiation treatment could be as effective for men under 55 as it was for older men.

The study showed that 94 per cent, 95 per cent and 87 per cent of patients in each respective age category were alive five years after diagnosis. 96 per cent, 97 per cent and 98 per cent of patients in each respective age category were without met static disease.

And 82 per cent, 76 per cent, and 70 per cent of patients in each respective age category had no evidence of disease recurrence according to blood.

The authors said that the treatment, at appropriate dose levels, should be considered for this patient population.

"External beam radiation at appropriate dose levels has been shown to be equivalent to permanent prostate seed implant and radical prostatectomy in the treatment of patients with stage T1-2 prostate cancer," say the authors.

The study appears in the June 15, 2006 issue of Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.