Proton therapy may reduce bowel side effects after prostate cancer surgery
NCT ID NCT04083937
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.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 897 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Sep 2018
- Expected to finish
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Jan 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Male participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * histology-proven prostate cancer with Gleason Score and PSA-value; * indication for prostate bed irradiation (adjuvant/ salvage) after prostatectomy; * Karnofsky-Index ≥ 70% * age ≥ 18 years Exclusion Criteria: * androgen deprivation therapy * lymphatic spread * macroscopic tumor/ R2 * stage IV (M1) * previous irradiation
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University Hospital Heidelberg
RECRUITINGHeidelberg, 69120, Germany
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- A scanner in the operating room could show surgeons exactly where prostate cancer remains
- New PET tracer aims to light up hidden cancer targets
- Can daily adaptive radiotherapy spare healthy tissue in prostate cancer?
- Can a radioactive tracer and MRI reveal prostate Cancer's true extent?
- Five-Fraction radiation plus hormone therapy tested against High-Risk prostate cancer
- Can a 10-Hour eating window fight cancer fatigue?