Update on radiation-based therapies for prostate cancer

Purpose of review This overview summarizes recent developments in radiation-based therapy for prostate cancer. Recent findings Radiation dose escalation continues to be validated as an effective strategy in prostate cancer. Adjuvant radiation therapy became the standard of care after long-term follow-up of the pivotal Southwest Oncology Group 8794 trial demonstrated an overall survival benefit in patients with pT3 disease or positive margin after prostatectomy. Strategies such as hypofractionation and stereotactic body radiation therapy are becoming more common but have yet to be validated in a large trial. New technologies such as Calypso 4D real-time tumor tracking and volumetric-modulated arc therapy promise to potentially increase cure rates and decrease toxicity due to increased accuracy of radiation delivery. Summary Radiation therapy continues to play a prominent role in the management of prostate cancer. However, new strategies and technologies such as hypofractionation, stereotactic body radiation therapy, volumetric-modulated arc therapy, and Calypso tumor tracking must be prospectively validated.