Short-Course Radiotherapy After Removal of Prostate
Technical Title: Short Course of Radiotherapy Following Prostatectomy for Men with Advanced Prostate Cancer
Disease Type: Prostate cancer
Basic information:
This study researches the effectiveness of a short course of radiation after surgery for treatment of prostate cancer.
Men with advanced prostate cancer often undergo a total removal of their prostate, followed by external beam radiation delivered in a schedule whereby the total dose is spread out over many small, separate doses, or “fractions,” typically over a period of weeks. This is referred to as Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy, or “IMRT.”
This study will examine the effectiveness and safety of Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy, “SBRT,” which delivers the same total dose of radiation given over only five separate fractions over about a five day period. While SBRT is commonly used for the treatment of prostate cancer, it is considered experimental in patients who have undergone the removal of their prostate. This study is designed to discover whether SBRT is safe in men with advanced prostate cancer who have had their prostates removed, and whether it helps them lead longer, healthier lives than those patients who receive IMRT after removal of their prostate.
Research Procedures:
Following the surgical removal of the prostate, study patients will come to Radiation Oncology for a treatment planning session which requires a CT scan, then return about one week later to receive radiation to the pelvis on five separate occasions over about a one week period. Patients will return to Radiation Oncology for regular follow-up visits for at least one year, but may be asked to allow follow-up information to be gathered from other doctors for up to five years. At four different occasions, patients will be asked to provide blood samples solely for the purposes of long-term scientific research.
Eligibility Criteria (not a complete list):
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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