Dr. Parker on the Rationale for the RADICALS-RT Trial in Prostate Cancer

Chris Parker, MD, consultant clinical oncologist, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, discusses the rationale for the phase III RADICALS-RT trial in prostate cancer.

The RADICALS-RT study evaluated the superiority of adjuvant radiotherapy versus salvage radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy, explains Parker.

There is some controversy regarding the timing of radiotherapy. Some believe that adjuvant radiotherapy should be given to men who have a risk of recurrence, whereas others recommend salvage radiotherapy for men who recur, says Parker.

Adjuvant radiotherapy may be more effective because patients are exposed to therapy earlier on, explains Parker. Conversely, salvage radiotherapy spares men who do not recur after surgery the toxicities associated with radiotherapy, concludes Parker.