A single stroke of radiation can save prostate cancer patients from several weeks of treatment, according to a study

A single blast of radiotherapy could save prostate cancer patients weeks of grueling treatments, according to research.

Research has shown that high dose rate brachytherapy – which provides a powerful boost of radiation therapy directly to the prostate in one session – is safe and effective for men with low-risk cancer.

The results, presented at the conference of the European Society of Radiotherapy and Oncology in Milan, suggest that patients can be spared from daily commuting to the hospital for low intensity radiation therapy sessions.

Brachytherapy has been used in Britain for a few years, but has generally been administered in several less powerful dose sessions, forcing men to visit the hospital four to nine times. [File photo]

Treatment in a single intervention also reduces the risk of side effects, reducing the toxic impact of surrounding healthy tissue coverage against radiation.

Researchers at Christie Hospital in Manchester and Mount Vernon in London found that all men with low-risk cancer were free of the disease three years after treatment, which usually takes only 10 to 20 minutes .

It has also helped treat some men with moderate to high risk prostate cancer – but in about a quarter of these men, the cancer has shown signs of recovery, suggesting a higher dose that may be needed for aggressive types of cancer.

The Daily Mail is campaigning for an urgent improvement in prostate cancer treatments and diagnosis, lagging behind other diseases such as breast cancer.

Every year, about 15,000 men with prostate cancer receive radiation therapy, nearly one-third of the 47,000 men diagnosed in Britain each year.

But powerful high dose rate brachytherapy or 'HDR' is only available in ten NHS hospitals across the country.

The vast majority of men receive external beam radiotherapy that bathes the entire pelvis in a low-power radioactive beam. The external treatment lasts 37 days. Men must be hospitalized every day of the week for almost two months.

Brachytherapy instead triggers a higher dose of radiation via thin tubes directly into the prostate for a few minutes to destroy the cancer cells.

As it is much more targeted, it spares healthy tissue from radiation.

Every year, about 15,000 men with prostate cancer receive radiation therapy, nearly one-third of the 47,000 men diagnosed in Britain each year. But powerful high dose rate brachytherapy or 'HDR' is only available in ten NHS hospitals across the country. [File photo]

Brachytherapy has been used in Britain for some years, but has generally been administered in several less powerful dose sessions, forcing men to come to the hospital between four and nine times.

But the researchers, who followed 441 men receiving the single-dose version, found that this one was safe and effective, at least for those with a low-risk cancer.

Dr. Hannah Tharmalingam, researcher, said: "These findings indicate that high dose rate brachytherapy is a safe and effective treatment for men with low-risk prostate cancer, but research additional doses are needed in patients at medium and high risk improved with a higher dose.

"This type of treatment offers an attractive alternative to surgery or other forms of radiotherapy because its risk of side effects is relatively low.

"It's also a patient-friendly option because treatment can be administered quickly in one visit to the hospital."

Experts welcomed the results last night.

Bradley Pieters, chairman of the brachytherapy committee of the European Society of Radiotherapy and Oncology, said, "This study suggests that a single treatment for high dose rate brachytherapy could be a very good option for many men with prostate cancer.

"The technology and expertise needed to deliver this treatment is not yet available at all cancer centers. However, since this can save hospitals time and money, as well as benefits for patients, there are good reasons to invest in this type of radiation therapy. "