Prostate cancer hope

LIVES of thousands of men could be prolonged with a new treatment that uses radiotherapy to mount a ‘twin attack’ on prostate cancer.

A trial led by Queen’s University Belfast has already been tested on 28 men with advanced prostate cancer in which the prostate is simultaneously blasted with radiation from outside the body while using ‘tumour-seeking’ radioactive drugs internally

Early results show the approach is safe and in some cases has led to remarkable improvements, paving the way for larger trials next year.

Lead researcher Professor Joe O’Sullivan said: ‘This is the first trial of its kind anywhere in the world.

‘It is hoped that combining the two forms of radiotherapy will be more effective than existing hormone treatment… and extend the life expectancy of men whose treatment options are otherwise limited.’