Jeff Michalski, MD, professor, vice chair of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, Siteman Cancer Center explains the importance of minimizing the long-term consequences of radiation.

Advances in treatment mean that more patients are living longer after cancer, especially those diagnosed young, who could have a prognosis of 30 or 40 years, says Michalski. Quality of life after treatment has become a large concern.

New technologies are now being test across a range of tumor types that reduce the amount of radiation to adjacent organs and structures.

Children and young adults with low-grade curable brain tumors can now receive radiation therapy without losing future cognitive function or mental abilities. There are similar advances in other cancers, including in lung and prostate, which allow vital organs surrounding the tumor to be function properly after radiation.

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Dr. Michalski on Minimizing Long-Term Consequences of Radiation

Jeff Michalski, MD, professor, vice chair of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, Siteman Cancer Center, discusses results of a study which compared standard dose radiation therapy to escalated dose for patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer.

The trial randomized patients with 70.2-79.2 Gy of radiation therapy. Data demonstrated that there was no difference in overall survival (OS) in men who received the escalated dose of radiation therapy.

The mortality rate of prostate cancer on this trial was 3% of patients, Michalski says. Prostate cancer death represented 13% of all causes of death in the trial.

Michalski adds that the low mortality rate meant no difference in OS; however, it demonstrated that men treated with intermediate-risk prostate cancer have a high likelihood of no disease recurrence.

Jeff Michalski, MD

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Dr. Michalski on Minimizing Long-Term Consequences of Radiation

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