Could a few weeks of radiation be enough for recurrent prostate cancer?
NCT ID NCT03388619
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early-phase trial tested a shorter course of radiation for men whose prostate cancer came back after their prostate was removed. Instead of the usual 6-7 weeks of daily radiation, researchers gave higher doses over just 2-4 weeks, focusing the strongest radiation on the tumor seen on scans. The goal was to find the shortest schedule that men could tolerate without serious side effects. 30 men participated, and the study is now complete.
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
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to a shorter, more convenient radiation schedule for men whose prostate cancer returns after surgery, with fewer side effects.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early phase 1 trial with only 30 participants, so it is not yet clear if the shorter schedule is as effective as the standard longer one. Side effects are still being studied.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States
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