A genetic test that reads inherited DNA may one day help men with prostate cancer decide whether a short, high-dose course of radiation is right for them. UCLA researchers are presenting data at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) annual meeting in Boston showing that men flagged as high risk by the test were about 36 times more likely to develop long-term urinary side effects after stereotactic body radiation therapy, or SBRT. The findings are scheduled for presentation Sept. 29, according to a UCLA Health announcement.
The question matters because most men with localized prostate cancer live many years after treatment. That makes quality of life, including bladder, bowel, and sexual function, central to the decision. Late urinary problems such as urgency, leakage and discomfort can appear months after radiation and sometimes persist. MiraDx, the company behind the test, cites earlier research showing that more than 20% of men treated with external radiation experience persistent urinary side effects.
