Proton therapy may reduce bowel side effects after prostate cancer surgery

NCT ID NCT04083937

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: University Hospital Heidelberg Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study compares two types of radiation therapy (proton vs. photon) given after prostate removal surgery. The goal is to see if proton therapy causes fewer bowel problems and improves quality of life. About 900 men with prostate cancer will be randomly assigned to one of the two radiation types.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Radiation therapy (proton or photon)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that proton therapy causes fewer bowel side effects than standard photon therapy after prostate surgery, improving quality of life without compromising cancer control.
What could go wrong: This is a large phase 3 trial, but results may not apply to all patients. The benefit of protons over photons may be small, and the shorter radiation schedule might not be as effective in the long run.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

prostate cancer

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

PROSTATE CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

University Hospital Heidelberg
RECRUITING

Heidelberg, 69120, Germany

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