Dr. Tward on Abbreviated Course ADT for Prostate Cancer

Jonathan Tward, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, discusses abbreviated course androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer treatment.

A recent study, presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Radiation Therapy (ASTRO), in San Francisco, found that when given along with radiation therapy to men with high-risk prostate cancer, 18 months of ADT generated similar long-term outcomes and resulted in better quality of life when compared to the standard 36-month course.

The idea that 18 months of ADT can be as effective as 36 months is intriguing, says Tward, but the study has some flaws. However, based on these findings, Tward aims to do long-term ADT therapy, but counsels patients that are experiencing a reduced quality of life after 18 months to discontinue ADT.