Stereotactic radiotherapy for prostate cancer

Abstract

Stereotactic body radiotherapy, also referred to as extreme hypofractionation, uses advanced delivery techniques to administer high radiation doses per fraction. Since its introduction in the early 2000s, several single-centre and two multi-institutional randomized trials have evaluated stereotactic body radiotherapy for prostate cancer, typically reporting median follow-ups of 5 to 10 years. Given favourable outcomes, stereotactic body radiotherapy has now become a standard of care for intermediate prostate cancer. The aim of this review is to report the current evidence so far, and to assess specificities of this irradiation modality. Extreme fractionation in case of pelvic irradiation or intraprostatic relapse will not be addressed in this review.