Use of the IMRT and use of the older conformal radiotherapy (CRT) after surgical removal of all or part of the prostate gland were associated with similar morbidity and cancer control outcomes.

The use of IMRT increased from zero in 2000 to 82.1 percent in 2009. Men who received IMRT vs. CRT showed no significant difference in rates of long-term gastrointestinal morbidity, urinary nonincontinent morbidity, urinary incontinence or erectile dysfunction. There also appeared to be no difference in subsequent treatment for recurrent disease, according to the study results.
"Our results provide new and important information to patients, physicians, and other decision makers on the currently available evidence regarding the outcomes of different postprostatectomy radiation techniques. The potential clinical benefit of IMRT compared with CRT in this setting is unclear," the study concludes.(JAMA Intern Med. Published online May 20, 2013.
Source-Eurekalert