Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)—Prostate Cancer
Director: Richard E. Peschel, MD, PhD
Radiation Oncologists: Richard E. Peschel, MD, PhD, Roy H. Decker, MD, PhD, Anwar M. Khan, MD
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is the newest and most sophisticated form of external beam radiation therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer. Because IMRT can be used to conform the high dose radiation region to include just the cancer and exclude normal tissues, higher doses of radiation can be given to the prostate but with lower dose of radiation to the bladder and rectum. The results are a significant improvement in the cure rate but with a decrease in the complication rate [1]. At Yale-New Haven Hospital, we have treated over 300 prostate cancer patients with IMRT over the last 4 years. The complication rates have been spectacularly low with a less than 1% rate of grade 2-3 mild complication rate and a 0% grade 4-5 serious complication rate. Overall cure rates with IMRT now compare favorably with the results obtained with radical prostatectomy.
In addition to the tremendous improvement in the clinical results with IMRT at Yale-New Haven Hospital, our prostate cancer research group is at the cutting edge in developing a better understanding of the various clinical parameters that will lead to even more improved clinical outcomes [2].
References:
- Peschel RE, Colberg JW: Surgery, brachytherapy, and external-beam radiotherapy for early prostate cancer. The Lancet Oncology 4: 233, 2003.
- Purushothaman K, Chelikani S, Chen Z, Peschel RE, et al: Variability of tumor control under localization uncertainty in external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) of prostate cancer. International Journal Radiation Oncology Biology and Physics 60: 627, 2004.
