Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy, Proton Therapy, or Conformal Radiation Therapy and Morbidity and Disease Control in Localized Prostate Cancer.

The article determines the comparative morbidity and disease control of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), proton therapy and conformal radiation therapy for primary prostate cancer treatment. A population-based study was conducted among patients with nonmetastatic prostate cancer using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare-linked data with the goal of measuring the rates of gastrointestinal and urinary morbidity, erectile dysfunction, hip fractures and additional cancer therapy. It was found out that less gastrointestinal morbidity is associated with the use of IMRT compared with conformal radiation therapy and IMRT compared with proton therapy.