How does SBRT for prostate cancer work?

SBRT for prostate cancer works in the same way as other types of radiation therapy. It aims beams of radiation at the prostate. The radiation damages the DNA inside the cancer cells, causing the cells to die over time. Most SBRT treatments use the energy from X-rays, also called photons. Some medical centers offer SBRT using protons, which uses the energy from positively charged particles.

What makes SBRT different is how the radiation is delivered. It uses many radiation beams aimed at the prostate from different angles. The place where the beams meet gets a large dose of radiation. Nearby healthy tissue is less likely to be hurt by the radiation.

SBRT uses advanced technology to carefully plan, shape and deliver the radiation beams. This precise targeting lets healthcare teams give higher doses of radiation in each treatment session, so fewer treatments are needed. For prostate cancer that is only in the prostate, treatment typically takes about two weeks.

SBRT for prostate cancer also is called stereotactic ablative radiotherapy and ultrahypofractionated radiation therapy. Sometimes it's called by the name of the machine that gives the radiation, such as CyberKnife, TrueBeam and other brand names.

SBRT is one treatment option for cancer that's only in the prostate. This cancer also is called localized prostate cancer and early-stage prostate cancer. SBRT also can help treat prostate cancer that comes back after treatment, called prostate cancer recurrence. And it can help treat cancer that spreads, called metastatic prostate cancer.