More Extensive Radiation Therapy Improves Control of Recurrent Prostate Cancer

Some men develop a small number of cancerous lymph nodes after initial treatment for prostate cancer. Doctors have debated whether it is better to treat only the visible lymph nodes or to treat the entire pelvic lymph node region with radiation therapy.

In this clinical trial, researchers compared these two approaches. Men who received radiation therapy to the entire pelvic lymph node region, together with six months of hormone therapy, experienced better long-term cancer control than men whose treatment targeted only the known cancer sites.

Although patients receiving the larger radiation field had slightly more urinary and bowel side effects, serious complications were uncommon in both groups.

The results suggest that treating the entire pelvic lymph node region may become the preferred approach for carefully selected men with limited recurrence of prostate cancer. However, additional studies are underway to confirm these findings.

                                                                                                                                                    The Lancet Oncology. 2025.