RTOG to Conduct Multicenter Study of Prostate Brachytherapy

PHILADELPHIA--The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) has just begun work on a potentially ground-breaking study of the use of radioactive seed implants (brachytherapy) for cancer that is confined to the prostate gland. The study will be the first multi-institutional evaluation of the treatment. To date, a number of single-institution studies have been conducted, showing the technique to be effective in controlling the disease.

The new RTOG investigation will look closely at the potential side effects of prostate brachytherapy as well as its effectiveness, said Colleen Lawton, MD, study chair. Dr. Lawton is a radiation oncologist at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.