After prostate removal, use of fewer but higher doses of radiation does not increase long-term side effects or lead to lower quality of life compared with conventional radiation, according to clinical trial results.

Hypofractionated radiotherapy (HypoRT) “represents a new acceptable practice standard” for men receiving post-prostatectomy radiotherapy, said Dr Mark Buyyounouski of Stanford University, California, US, in a presentation of the results at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) annual meeting.

HypoRT is already used routinely in men with prostate cancer who choose not to undergo prostatectomy, based on the results of multiple randomised trials, Dr Buyyounouski noted.

But the new trial was the first to assess whether HypoRT was a viable option for men who elect to have their prostates removed, he explained.