Chemo-radiation before prostate removal may prevent cancer recurrence
June 15th, 2010 Posted in prostate chemotherapyResearchers in the Oregon Health & Science University Knight Cancer Institute and the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center have discovered a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy given before prostate removal is safe and might have the potential to decrease cancer recurrence and improve patient survival.
“Our study is the first-ever clinical test in prostate cancer to combine radiation, chemotherapy and surgery given as a treatment before prostate surgery to potentially provide higher cure rates than traditional approaches with fewer side effects”.
The researchers concluded this chemo-radiation therapy is feasible and safe and potentially may reduce cancer recurrence rates in this high-risk population. In addition, they say the development of this approach now opens the door to the study other drugs in combination with radiation.