Two-Week Radiotherapy Proven Effective for Prostate Cancer in 10 Year Study

A major clinical trial (HYPO-RT-PC) has demonstrated that a much shorter course of radiotherapy—lasting just two and a half weeks—is just as safe and effective as the traditional eight-week schedule, even a decade after treatment. The results, presented at ESTRO 2025 (the annual congress of the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology), provide reassurance for patients and physicians considering this approach, known as “ultra-hypofractionated radiotherapy.”

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men worldwide, with over 1.4 million new cases each year. Radiotherapy is a widely used treatment, offering outcomes comparable to surgery, especially for localized cases. As an outpatient procedure, it enables patients to maintain much of their normal routine. However, standard radiotherapy typically requires daily sessions over several weeks, which can be burdensome for patients and strain healthcare resources.

The Swedish-led study found that this shorter, precision-based treatment achieves the same levels of cancer control and survival rates as the longer regimen, offering a more convenient alternative without compromising outcomes.

Study authors, Per Nilsson, senior radiation physicist, and Adalsteinn Gunnlaugsson, radiation oncologist, noted "These long-term findings confirm previous 5-year results from the trial, showing that delivering fewer, higher doses over a shorter period works just as well as the standard approach - not just in theory, but in real-world clinical practice. For patients, this means less disruption to daily life and potentially lower healthcare costs, without compromising outcomes and safety." Nilsson and Gunnlaugsson led the 10-year outcome analysis of the HYPO-RT-PC trial at Skåne University Hospital and Lund University, Sweden.

Significant Study Findings:

• Failure-free survival (no return of cancer or need for additional treatment): 72% in the short-course group vs 65% in the standard group
  • Overall survival: 81% for short-course vs 79% for standard
  • Prostate cancer-specific mortality: 4% in both groups
  • Side effects: Urinary and bowel symptoms were similar in both groups, and most were mild to moderate.

"These findings confirm that the shorter course does not increase long-term side effects and provides equally durable cancer control", added Camilla Thellenberg-Karlsson, MD, PhD, at Umeå University, who presented the results at the ESTRO meeting.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, and radiotherapy remains a key treatment. These results demonstrate how modern radiotherapy approaches can make treatment more efficient, accessible, and patient-friendly, without sacrificing effectiveness or safety.

Matthias Guckenberger, President of ESTRO, added: "Shorter treatment schedules mean patients can return to their normal lives more quickly. Reducing treatment time to just two and a half weeks is a major win for patients and health systems.”