Radiation zaps ‘incurable’ men’s cancer

TREATMENT Royal Marsden A HIGHLY targeted radiation treatment can halt prostate cancer in cases thought to be incurable, a study found.

Researchers used intensity modulated radiotherapy to attack cancer cells directly while protecting healthy tissue.

It was used on disease that had spread to lymph nodes in the pelvis, a procedure previously thought too dangerous due to bowel damage.

Researchers from the Institute of Cancer Research and top cancer hospital, the Royal Marsden in West London, found that 71% of patients were alive and completely free from disease five years after IMRT. After an average 8.5 years, 87% were alive and side-effects were manageable, said the study published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics.

Prof David Dearnaley of the Royal Marsden said: “This technique has proven a gamechanger. I’m excited to see this treatment become available to every man who could benefit.”

Prof Paul Workman of the ICR, said radiotherapy had been seen as old-fashioned but was now “a highly precise, incredibly sophisticated treatment”.