Pro-Proton Therapy Research

The material provided by my radiation oncologist (see my first October 28 post) was oriented against proton therapy (PT) for prostate cancer. However, other studies of PT put it in a more favorable light. The following article was included in the packet that UFHealth sent me. All of the authors are associated with UFHealth, and their research reports on UFHealth patients.

●International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics, 95(1)

Five-Year Biochemical Results, Toxicity, and Patient-Reported Quality of Life After Delivery of Dose-Escalated Image Guided Proton Therapy for Prostate Cancer.  Curtis Bryant, MD, MPH

From the last paragraph: “It is concluded that image guided PT provides excellent biochemical control rates for patients with low-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk prostate cancer."

Translation: Proton therapy is effective at controlling prostate cancer.

Continuing with the last paragraph: "The actuarial rates of CTCAEv4 grade 3+ GU and GI toxicity rates were low.”

Translation: CTCAEv4 means Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4, published by the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute. Grade 3 means “Severe or medically significant but not immediately life-threatening; hospitalization or prolongation of hospitalization indicated; disabling; limiting self care ADL [activities of daily living]. Grade 3+ means Grade 3 and worse. GU means genitourinary (reproductive and urinary organs), and GI means gastrointestinal (digestive organs, such as the stomach and intestines). 

In other words: Proton therapy resulted in low rates of medically significant side effects.