Patients at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre with early prostate cancer will be offered a high-precision form of radiotherapy that significantly reduces the number of hospital visits they need after it was approved by the NHS. 

Stereotactive ablative radiotherapy (SABR) precisely targets the prostate with high doses of radiation to treat the cancer and prevent it from returning. 

Research trials at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and other NHS hospitals have shown that just 5 doses of SABR are as effective as 20 doses of standard external beam radiotherapy in certain patient groups. In the PACE B trial, 95% of patients had no recurrence during the first 5 years of follow-up after treatment. 

SABR treatment will be offered to patients with low and low intermediate risk prostate cancer. This will make treatment much quicker and more convenient for patients - they can complete treatment in just 10 days, instead of having to come to hospital 5 times a week for 4 weeks. 

Researchers at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre played a key role in the PACE clinical trials exploring whether SABR would benefit men with localised prostate cancer. Two of the earlier PACE trials have already published long-term results, resulting in the current NHS approval of SABR for certain groups of patients.

The later trials are still in the follow-up stage. Until these later PACE trials are published, patients with high intermediate or high risk prostate cancer will not be offered SABR and will be treated with standard dose external beam radiotherapy. 

Dr Shaun Tolan, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and Principal Investigator for the PACE trials, said:

This is excellent news for eligible patients, giving them a more convenient treatment option that is just as effective as standard external beam radiotherapy. As an active research centre, we were heavily involved in the clinical trials and we are delighted that SABR has now become an option for all suitable patients with localised prostate cancer. 

We expect around 20% of the prostate cancer patients we treat will now be eligible for SABR. Your doctor will discuss this with you if SABR could be an option for you.

Could I have SABR for my prostate cancer?

SABR has been approved by the NHS for men with cancer that has not spread beyond the prostate:

  • Patients have to have a lower risk score (PSA <20 ng/ml, MRI scan showing tumour localised in the prostate, biopsy with a Gleason score of 3+3 or 3+4).
  • SABR is not suitable for patients with very large prostate glands or a lot of bladder symptoms, for example frequency or urgency.

Your doctor will advise you about this during your initial consultation with them.