Conclusions: Perspectives on the Role of SBRT in the Management of Localized Prostate Cancer

Abstract

SBRT is emerging as a promising treatment intervention in the management of patients with clinically localized prostate cancer. The various prospective single institution and retrospective series which have been published in the literature demonstrate what appears to be comparable PSA relapse free survival outcomes for SBRT patients compared to those treated with high-dose conventionally fractionated IMRT [1–6]. While for most published SBRT series the median follow-up has been 4–5 years, these reports so far seem to dispel the notion and concern that such treatment regimens are associated with significant complications and difficult-to-manage toxicities. As well documented in the previous chapters, the incidence of relapsing disease to date as well as acute and long-term toxicities associated with SBRT has been low, and there is no evidence that the prevalence of severe grade 3 and 4 urinary and rectal related toxicities is any higher than what is observed after conventionally fractionated external beam radiotherapy. Of course, longer follow-up will be necessary to confirm these observations.