5 day radiotherapy for prostate cancer

Radiotherapy for prostate cancer can be completed in just 5 sessions when delivered on the MR Linac, a state-of-the-art radiotherapy machine available in the UK at our centres in Oxford, London and Surrey.

The advantage of the MR Linac is that it enables clinicians to ‘see as they treat’ with the exact position of the prostate visible during treatment. If the prostate moves even slightly out of position, such as if gas moves through the bowel and rectum, the radiotherapy beam is automatically paused until the prostate is back in position.

This prevents unnecessary radiation dose to healthy tissues, which reduces the risk of treatment-related side effects. No other radiotherapy technology has this capability.

GenesisCare is the first healthcare provider in the UK to offer radiotherapy over just five days for prostate cancer.

Many men with prostate cancer prefer a less invasive option than surgery and choose to have radiotherapy. But both standard radiotherapy and surgery carry risks of damage to surrounding organs, such as the bowel and bladder, with side effects including incontinence and impotence.

These risks and side effects are reduced with radiotherapy delivered on the MR Linac. This is due to the improved accuracy of treatment and automated beam control which avoids unnecessary damage to healthy tissue, leading to fewer side effects.

In some cases, we might suggest you have a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) as part of your treatment plan.

Radiotherapy usually targets the entire prostate gland; SIB involves extra doses of radiotherapy aimed precisely at the aggressive area of the prostate tumour. This highly accurate delivery is made possible by MRI guidance on the MR Linac and aims to improve long-term outcomes and avoid recurrence without increasing the risk of side effects. SIB is delivered as part of the five-day schedule with no extra appointments needed.

Both treatments can be highly effective but work in different ways.

Surgery involves removal of the prostate gland completely (also known as radical prostatectomy), while radiotherapy uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells within the prostate. 

Most people are required to stay in hospital for 1–3 days after prostate surgery and can usually return to their normal activities within 4–6 weeks.

Some side effects can occur after surgery, but there are many ways to help manage or improve them over time:

Possible side effects of surgery include:

• Urinary incontinence - this can often improve with pelvic floor exercises.
• Erectile dysfunction (ED) — depending on whether nerve-sparing surgery is possible
• Infertility
• Short-term issues like bruising, infection, or fatigue

• Non-invasive treatment that can be completed in as little as 5 days
• Shorter recovery time and quicker return to daily activities
• Reduced risk of side effects such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction
• Excellent long-term cancer control for most men with localised prostate cancer

At GenesisCare, this combination of advanced techniques and a short treatment schedule makes radiotherapy a highly effective and convenient option for many men.

We see care differently 

Our highly experienced prostate cancer experts work as teams, combining their skills and expertise so every patient has access to world-class cancer care.