A recent clinical trial has found that stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), a highly targeted form of radiotherapy, offers comparable long-term control of prostate cancer to surgical removal of the prostate, with fewer side effects. The findings, presented at the 2026 American Society for Radiation Oncology Annual Meeting in Boston, could expand treatment options for men with low-to-intermediate-risk prostate cancer.
The study involved 123 men from eight UK centres who were randomly assigned to receive either SBRT or radical prostatectomy between 2012 and 2022. Participants were monitored for an average of eight years to assess cancer recurrence and treatment-related side effects. The average age of participants was approximately 66.
Researchers found that, after eight years, 91.2% of men treated with SBRT had no signs of cancer recurrence or progression, compared with 83.7% of those who underwent surgery. The trial’s lead investigator, Professor Nicholas van As of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and the Institute of Cancer Research, emphasized the importance of informing patients about all available treatment options. He noted that while surgery has been a standard curative option, SBRT offers a less invasive alternative with similar cancer control outcomes.
In addition to cancer control, the study highlighted significant differences in post-treatment quality of life between the two groups. Men who received SBRT reported fewer instances of urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction. Five years after treatment, erectile function scores were notably higher among those receiving SBRT—19 out of 25 compared with five out of 25 in the surgery group. Only 8% of the SBRT group required urinary pads versus 48% in the surgery group over the same period.
One trial participant, Ken Morren, 76, described his experience with SBRT positively, reporting minimal side effects and a sustained reduction in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, an indicator of cancer activity.
While the study supports SBRT as an effective non-surgical alternative, researchers note that wider patient awareness remains limited. Although SBRT was approved for routine use on the NHS in June 2026, medical professionals including Professor van As continue to advocate for better dissemination of information to ensure men can make fully informed decisions about their prostate cancer treatment.
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the UK, with more than 68,000 new cases annually. The trial’s findings could influence future treatment guidelines by providing evidence for SBRT’s effectiveness in balancing cancer control with quality of life considerations.