Tumour Targeted Radiation Therapy for Patients With Localized Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is common in males and may develop over the course of an individual's life. This cancer is often discovered at the time of routine physical examinations and/or blood work or on rectal examination. Once diagnosed, most patients do require some form of treatment so that the prostate cancer does not progress to cause damage and/or shortened lifespan. Occasionally, after patients receive treatment, the investigators have found that an area of cancer remains within the prostate. Those patients with a large area of cancer (i.e. seen on MRI image) appear to have a higher chance of remaining or recurrent prostate cancer even after standard treatment. Thus, the investigators believe that the area of the prostate gland occupied by a dense area of cancer may need more radiation therapy than normal to remain cancer free. Standard therapy currently in place in North America: Currently patients who are diagnosed with prostate cancer have 3 common options: surgery, external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) alone or internal radiation (brachytherapy). Patients may or may not receive hormone therapy alongside the radiation depending on their physician's preference. For those who receive radiation therapy, the tumour typically receives the same dose as the rest of the prostate gland. Findings to date: In the past few years the investigators have discovered that patients with a tumour large enough to be seen on MRI images (>5mm) have a higher chance than normal of having cancer remain in the prostate, despite receiving treatment for their cancer 3 years earlier. Using new technology investigators can deliver radiation therapy after viewing the prostate tumour on MRI. This guides therapy, allowing the radiation treatment to be targeted to the tumour within the prostate. Based on this earlier success the investigators believe that they can now safely give a higher dose of radiation to specifically target the cancer within the prostate gland. Reason for the study: The investigators would like to test this technology and expertise to give radiation to a higher than normal dose to the tumour nodule in prostate gland.
Primary Outcome:
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These resources are provided in partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society