New radiotherapy targeting pelvis is safe for prostate cancer patients

A form of radiotherapy targeting the pelvis is safe for men with advanced localised prostate cancer, according to a new study.   In a trial part-funded by Cancer Research UK, patients who received the smallest dose of intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) targeting lymph nodes in the pelvis had the lowest levels of bowel or bladder side effects compared to patients who had the highest doses.    IMRT bends the radiotherapy beam to fit the tumour or target tissue, allowing cancer cells to receive a higher dose while reducing the dose to surrounding tissue.    The trial’s leader, Professor David Dearnaley, an expert