Stereotactic radiation helps delay toxic prostate cancer treatments

The Australian-led TRANSFORM trial has found that stereotactic radiation therapy for metastatic prostate cancer can delay more toxic forms of treatment for more than five years for many patients

Standard treatment options for men living with metastatic (cancer that has spread from where it started to another part of the body) prostate cancer include hormone therapy and chemotherapy, which often have significant negative side effects that impact a patient’s quality of life.

Stereotactic radiation therapy is an advanced technique used to treat small, well-defined tumours. The technology allows a high dose of radiation to be delivered precisely to the tumour, without compromising surrounding healthy organs due to the ability to treat with sub-millimetre accuracy.

Icon Cancer Centre Radiation Oncologist and Principal Investigator of the TRANSFORM trial, Dr Patrick Bowden says there are no significant side effects associated with stereotactic radiation therapy.

Melbourne man, Ian Rose was diagnosed with prostate cancer in December 2012 and joined the TRANSFORM trial in January 2016. “After I retired in 2009, I decided that it would be wise to have an annual medical checkup,” said Ian.

“I had no symptoms prior to my diagnosis and according to Dr Google, my prostate-specific antigen (PSA) reading at the time of diagnosis, which from memory was 4.0, was within the bounds of normal for a person of my age. I had a radical prostatectomy in February 2013. I was advised that there were clear margins around the prostate, however once my PSA levels started to rise seven months following surgery, it was the opinion of my urologist that the cancer had spread through my seminal vesicles.”

“My PSA continued to rise, and I was sent for a seven-week course of radiation therapy in early 2015 directed to the area of the prostate in the hope of killing off any residual cancer cells. But that was not successful. It was around October of 2015 when my PSA had risen to 0.40 that I was told about the possibility of joining the TRANSFORM trial.”

“I was sent for scans, which found three spots identified on my rib, hip and spine. I was subsequently accepted onto the TRANSFORM trial in January 2016.” From February 2016 to August 2024, Ian has had five sessions of stereotactic radiation therapy around 18 months apart.

In the lead-up to Christmas 2023, Ian wrote a heartfelt letter to radiation oncologists, Dr Patrick Bowden and Dr Paul Conway.

“I am writing this letter to thank Dr Bowden, Dr Conway and all of your team for the specialised radiation therapy that you have provided on the TRANSFORM trial and are continuing to provide in the treatment of my prostate cancer,” wrote Ian.

The results of the TRANSFORM trial were recently published in the International Journal of Cancer. The TRANSFORM trial is supported by the Icon Cancer Foundation (ICF). ICF is the not-for-profit charity that raises funds to support Icon Cancer Centre’s network of doctors and healthcare professionals to do vital independent research.

The content on the Icon Cancer Centre website is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. It is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified medical practitioner. For personalised medical guidance, please consult with your GP or another qualified healthcare provider.