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Radiotherapy for advanced prostate cancer

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This fact sheet is for men with advanced prostate cancer who would like to know more about treatment with radiotherapy to help relieve symptoms. This is called palliative radiotherapy. Palliative radiotherapy does not aim to get rid of your cancer but it can help to slow down its growth.

Last updated: July 2015
To be reviewed: July 2018

References  

  • Bashir FA, Parry JM & Windsor PM. Use of a modified hemi-body irradiation technique for metastatic carcinoma of the prostate: Report of a 10-year experience. Clinical Oncology. 2008;20:591-598
  • British Uro-oncology Group (BUG), British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS), British Prostate Group (BPG). MDT (Multi-disciplinary Team) Guidance for managing prostate cancer. 2nd Edition. 2009
  • Chow E, Ling A, Davis L et al. Pain flare following external beam radiotherapy and meaningful change in pain scores in the treatment of bone metastases. Journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology 2005; 75/1: 64-9
  • Clarke N. Management of the spectrum of hormone refractory prostate cancer. European Urology. 2006;50:428-439
  • Din OS, Thanvi N, Ferguson CJ, Kirkbride P. Palliative radiotherapy for symptomatic advanced prostate cancer. Radiotherapy and Oncology. 2009;93:192-196
  • Finlay IG, Mason M D & Shelley M. Radioisotopes for the palliation of metastatic bone cancer: a systematic review. Lancet Oncology 2005;6:392–400
  • GE Healthcare. Metastron (Strontium-89 chloride injection). 2006
  • Hird A, Chow E, Zhang L, et al. Determining the incidence of pain flare following palliative radiotherapy for symptomatic bone metastases: results from three canadian cancer centers. In J Radi Oncol Biol Phys. 2009; 75(1):193-7
  • Jager PL. Treatment with radioactive strontium for patients with bone metastases from prostate cancer. BJU International 2000; 86: 929-934
  • James ND, Bloomfield D, Luscombe C. The changing pattern of management for hormone-refractory, metastatic prostate cancer: Review.
  • Li KK, Hadi S, Kirou-Mauro A et al. When should we define the response rates in the treatment of bone metastases by palliative radiotherapy? Clinical Oncology (Royal College of Radiologists). 2008;20(1):83-9
  • Loblaw DA, Wu JS, Jackson S, Kirkbride P. Pain flare in patients with bone metastases after palliative radiotherapy--a nested randomized control trial. Supportive Care in Cancer. 2007;15(4):451-5
  • Lutz S, Berk L, Chang E, et al. Palliative radiotherapy for bone metastases: An ASTRO evidence-based guideline. Int. J. Radiation Oncology Biol. Phys. 2011;79
  • National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, Prostate Cancer: diagnosis and treatment (Full guidance). February 2008
  • Notes for Guidance on the Clinical Administration of Radiopharmaceuticals and Use of Sealed Radioactive Sources. Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee 2006. Revised 2011.
  • Oosterhof GON, Roberts JT, de Reijke Th.M, et al. Strontium89 Chloride versus Palliative Local Field Radiotherapy in Patients with Hormonal Escaped Prostate Cancer: A Phase II Studyof the European Organisation for Research andTreatment of Cancer Genitourinary Group. European Urology. 44 (2003) 519–526
  • Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases2006; 9: 221-229
  • The British Pain Society. Cancer Pain Management. A perspective from the British Pain Society, supported by the Association for Palliative Medicine and the Royal College of General Practitioners. January 2010.

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