Will SBRT replace conventional radiotherapy in patients with low-intermediate risk prostate cancer? A review

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a novel treatment modality in radiation oncology that delivers a very high dose of radiation to the tumor target with high precision using single or a small number of fractions. SBRT is the result of technological advances in patient/tumor immobilization, image guidance, and treatment planning and delivery. This modality is safe and effective in both early stage primary cancer and oligometastases. Compared to the use of stereotactic radiosurgery for other tumor sites, SBRT is slow to be adopted in the management of genitourinary malignancies. Emerging data show the safety and efficacy of this treatment modality in prostate cancer. Preclinical data, clinical experience, and challenges are reviewed and discussed.

► We present an overview of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for prostate cancer, followed by a critical evaluation of the current literature.
► We highlight the unique suitability of prostate cancer to be treated with hypofractionation (large dose per fraction) due to its intrinsic favourable radiobiology.
► We provide a brief description of the radiation therapy techniques and its evolution.
► We address the cost/effectiveness issue for the cutting-edge technology.