prostate-report.org

The optimal duration of neoadjuvant androgen deprivation in prostate cancer radiotherapy

According to previous studies, for locally advanced prostate cancer, the results of radiotherapy are improved by combination with androgen deprivation therapy. Volume reduction achieved with neoadjuvant hormonal treatment can facilitate dose escalation without increasing the toxicity.

The main problem is the optimal duration of hormonal treatment, however, is unknown, therefore a recent study at Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, aimed to conclude about the optimal duration of androgen deprivation for prostate volume reduction in a cohort of patients scheduled for external beam radiotherapy.

In this study, researchers have shown that the most significant prostate volume reduction is achieved after 3 months of MAB with a maximum reduction after 6 months. Therefore, in their opinion, the optimal duration of neoadjuvant androgen deprivation to reduce prostate volume before prostate cancer radiotherapy is 6 months. In small prostates 3 months of hormonal treatment may be enough for maximal volume reduction.