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Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) offers patients with specific stages of prostate cancers an effective, noninvasive option that can reduce treatment time, have similar overall survival/local control rates as other treatment options such as surgery, and help maintain quality of life.
All SBRT machines, Varian Edge, Cyberknife, ZAP-X, deliver high-dose radiation over a shorter treatment time period to a precise, targeted area to reduce damage to surrounding normal tissues. MedStar Washington Hospital Center’s Radiation Oncology team uses the Varian Edge, which offers our patients excellent results.
Multiple studies have demonstrated that SBRT/SRT is safe and effective and has now become the standard of care for the treatment of cancers involving many sites. The treatment precisely targets the treatment area, in this case the prostate gland, sparing sensitive organs near the prostate such as the bladder and rectum from detrimental doses of radiation. Higher doses of radiation delivered in a shorter time period (1-5 days) specifically to the tumor means that treatment can be completed much quicker with SBRT than traditional cancer treatment option.
A study of more than 6,000 patients with prostate cancer treated using SBRT showed that five years after treatment, more than 95% remained cancer-free. By seven years, 93% could say the same. The study also showed few long-term effects from toxicity and improved bladder and bowel function.
For many patients, SBRT offers a painless, convenient, effective treatment strategy for prostate cancer.
Precise treatment for early-stage prostate cancer.
SBRT is one type of radiation therapy modality that can be used alone or in combination with other systemic treatments for prostate cancer. SBRT delivers precise, direct radiation doses to destroy tumors. Before treatment, oncologists place tiny gold “seeds” called fiducial markers within the prostate for precise machine tracking during the treatment course.
The fusion with the planning CT of MRIs, and, PSMA PET scans, enhances tumor and normal organ contouring for treatment planning. The patient’s bowel and bladder are monitored with real-time imaging during treatment to further improve accuracy and reduce normal tissue side effects.
Ideal candidates for SBRT have early-stage cancer that is confined to the prostate. Patients with locally advanced or high-risk cancers may need traditional external beam radiation and targeted hormonal therapies. Patients with transportation difficulties, mental or physical challenges are ideal candidates for SBRT since this treatment option avoids lengthy treatment schedules.
Related reading:Screening for Prostate Cancer Is Now Less Invasive and Still Life-Saving.
More efficient treatment. Fewer side effects.
SBRT is painless, and patients are able to return to their daily activities immediately after treatment. Some of the benefits include:
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Faster treatment time: Radiation is delivered over five minutes. Each treatment session takes about 30-40 minutes in total.
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Shorter treatment schedules: SBRT can be completed in one to five sessions, as opposed to 20 or more with standard radiation treatments. Treatments can be offered in daily or every other day schedules—which means less time spent traveling to appointments.
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Effective outcomes: A 2023 study found SBRT was just as effective as standard treatments for patients with prostate cancer that had not spread.
SBRT can cause milder side effects than other types of radiation therapy because the treatment targets a more precise. Side effects can include:
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Urinary symptoms: Frequency of urination, urinary urgency primarily limited to the treatment course, which is often managed with medication. Blood in the urine is rarely seen.
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Mild bowel symptoms: Such as softer stools (poop), gas or bloating which is managed with over-the-counter medication and resolves at the completion of treatment. We minimize the impact of treatment with a rectal spacer (SpaceOAR) that increases the distance between the prostate and the rectum. Blood in the stool is rarely seen.
Related reading:Prostate Cancer: What Every Guy Needs to Know
SBRT is an effective treatment for more than just prostate cancer. It can be used with success in many cancers of the lung, spine, cancerous/noncancerous brain tumors, certain types of epilepsy, functional disorders, liver tumors, arteriovenous malformations, trigeminal neuralgia and pancreatic tumors. Patients with these cancers experience similar benefits from high-dose, precise radiation.
SBRT offers a powerful option for patients whose prostate cancers are found early and haven’t spread. This treatment gives more patients an opportunity for effective, efficient radiation that minimizes interruption to their quality of life.
