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Thousands of men with prostate cancer in England will now have access to a more precise form of radiotherapy that reduces treatment time by 75 per cent. According to The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, the PACE-B trial confirmed that stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT)—also known as stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR)—is as effective as conventional methods while requiring only five hospital visits instead of 20.
How does the new five-session treatment work?
SBRT delivers a high dose of radiation through multiple tiny, intense energy beams aimed at a tumour from various angles. These beams converge directly on the cancer, which minimizes exposure to healthy surrounding tissue. According to data from the PACE-B trial, this precision allows the treatment to be completed in five sessions over a fortnight, compared to the standard 20 sessions of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) typically delivered over four weeks.
The NHS estimates that if one in five eligible men chooses SBRT over conventional radiotherapy, the health service could free up 50,000 treatment appointments every year.
Who is eligible for SBRT?
NHS England has approved the use of SBRT specifically for patients with early-stage prostate cancer that has not spread outside the prostate gland. The treatment is intended for men categorized as having a low or medium risk of the cancer growing or spreading. According to NHS modelling, approximately 3,500 men are expected to opt for this shorter treatment pathway annually.
How do the outcomes compare to standard radiotherapy?
The PACE-B phase III international trial found that both treatments provided similar levels of cancer control. Five years after the study, 96 per cent of patients who received SBRT remained free of cancer recurrence, compared to 95 per cent of those who underwent conventional radiotherapy. According to researchers at The Institute of Cancer Research, side effects remained low in both groups, with only a marginal difference in urinary or genital organ side effects five years post-treatment.
| Metric | SBRT (5 sessions) | Conventional (20 sessions) |
|---|---|---|
| Cancer control at 5 years | 96% | 95% |
| Genital/Urinary side effects | 5.5% | 3.2% |
What are the long-term implications for cancer care?
The shift toward fewer, more intense sessions represents a broader move toward “smarter” treatments in oncology. Professor Nicholas van As, Chief Investigator of the PACE-B trial, noted that the results provide the evidence base for international clinical practice. By reducing the number of hospital visits, the NHS aims to decrease the physical and logistical burden on patients while maintaining high efficacy. Professor Peter Johnson, NHS National Clinical Director for Cancer, stated that the precision of these beams allows men to return to their normal lives more quickly following treatment.
If you or a loved one are discussing treatment options with an oncologist, ask specifically if the tumour’s size and location make you a candidate for SBRT, as it is most effective for small, well-defined cancers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SBRT available at all NHS hospitals?
All 48 NHS radiotherapy centres in England will begin offering this five-session SBRT treatment to eligible patients within the next three months, according to NHS England.
Is SBRT better for advanced prostate cancer?
No. According to the research findings, SBRT is best suited for small, early-stage cancers. Standard radiotherapy is typically preferred for cancers that have begun to grow or spread because its wider beams can target a larger area.
Are the side effects worse with SBRT?
Side effects are comparable to conventional radiotherapy. While 5.5 per cent of SBRT patients experienced grade 2 or higher urinary or genital side effects at five years, the majority of patients reported low levels of side effects in both treatment groups.
Have questions about how these treatment advancements might affect your care plan? Consult your GP or specialist to discuss the latest clinical guidelines. For more updates on oncology breakthroughs, subscribe to our health newsletter.
