"The results of our study demonstrate that for men with low-risk prostate cancer, hypofractionated radiation therapy offers a shorter, more convenient treatment schedule without compromising cure or causing additional side effects," said lead author of the study W. Robert Lee, MD, MS, MEd, professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Duke University School of Medicine.

"This is the first large-scale, randomized study demonstrating the value of a shorter course of radiation therapy for low-risk prostate cancer patients," said Howard Sandler, MD, MS, FASTRO, co-author of the study and professor and chair of the department of radiation oncology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center. "The results are not surprising, however, given that studies on the effects of hypofractionated radiation therapy in patients with early stage breast cancer, which is similar to early stage prostate cancer, have demonstrated similar outcomes."


The abstract, "NRG Oncology RTOG 0415: A Randomized Phase III Non-Inferiority Study Comparing 2 Fractionation Schedules in Patients with Low-Risk Prostate Cancer" will be presented in detail during the Plenary session at ASTRO's 57th Annual Meeting at 2:15 p. m. Central time on Monday, October 19, 2015. To speak with Dr. Sandler, please call Nancy Mayes in ASTRO's Press Office at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio on October 18 – 21, 2015 at 210-258-8104 or 210-258-8105, or email press@astro.org.

ASTRO's 57th Annual Meeting, being held at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, October 18-21, 2015, is the nation's premier scientific meeting in radiation oncology. The 2015 Annual Meeting is expected to attract more than 11,000 attendees including oncologists from all disciplines, medical physicists, dosimetrists, radiation therapists, radiation oncology nurses and nurse practitioners, biologists, physician assistants, practice administrators, industry representatives and other health care professionals from around the world. Led by ASTRO President Bruce D. Minsky, MD, FASTRO, a radiation oncologist specializing in gastrointestinal cancers, Professor of Radiation Oncology, and the Frank T. McGraw Memorial Chair at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, the theme of the 2015 Meeting is "Technology Meets Patient Care." Dr. Minsky's Presidential Symposium, "Multidisciplinary Management of Esophageal and Rectal Cancers," will feature Leonard L. Gunderson, MD, MS, FASTRO, and Joel E. Tepper, MD, FASTRO, to highlight imaging, staging, genomics and data mining approaches, as well as the latest advances in esophageal and colorectal cancer treatment. ASTRO's four-day scientific meeting includes presentation of more than 2,100 abstracts: five plenary papers, 351 oral presentations, 1,609 posters and 171 digital posters in more than 53 educational sessions and 26 scientific panels for 20 disease-site tracks. Three keynote speakers will address a range of topics including cancer biology in radiation oncology, the essential roles of a physician, and patient safety: Arul Chinnaiyan, MD, PhD, Professor and Director, Michigan Center for Translational Pathology; Francisco G. Cigarroa, MD, Past President and Chancellor, University of Texas; and Gerald B. Hickson, MD, Senior Vice President and Assistant Vice Chancellor, Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

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