Disparities in Radiation Treatment Modality for Prostate Cancer

Strategic Insights -

A new study has shed light on disparities in radiation treatment modality for prostate cancer, highlighting factors associated with the choice of therapy. The research, conducted at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, analyzed data from 1,624 prostate cancer patients diagnosed between 2008 and 2017, comparing demographic and clinical factors associated with Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT). The study found that Black patients and patients of Hispanic ethnicity were less likely to receive SBRT compared to White patients, while patients living in less populous counties were more likely to receive SBRT.

Key Takeaways:

  • A total of 1,624 prostate cancer patients diagnosed between 2008 and 2017 were included in the study, with 71.4% receiving SBRT and 28.6% receiving IMRT.
  • Black patients had decreased odds of receiving SBRT compared to White patients, with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.4 (95% CI: 0.2-0.7).
  • Hispanic patients also had decreased odds of receiving SBRT, with an OR of 0.4 (95% CI: 0.2-0.9).
  • Patients living in counties with a population less than 250,000 people were more likely to receive SBRT, with an OR of 3.6 (95% CI: 1.7-7.7).
  • The study highlights the need to understand differences in treatment patterns to guide intervention and improve access to SBRT nationwide.

Statistics:

  • 71.4% of patients in the study received SBRT, while 28.6% received IMRT.
  • 1,624 patients were included in the study, with 1,164 (71.4%) receiving SBRT and 460 (28.6%) receiving IMRT.
  • Patients of Black and Hispanic ethnicity had decreased odds of receiving SBRT, with ORs of 0.4 (95% CI: 0.2-0.7) and 0.4 (95% CI: 0.2-0.9) respectively.
  • Patients living in less populous counties had increased odds of receiving SBRT, with an OR of 3.6 (95% CI: 1.7-7.7).

Sources:

  • "Disparities in radiation treatment modality for prostate cancer" (Urologic Oncology, 2025)
  • University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
  • NewsRx LLC
  • Urologic Oncology (Elsevier Science Inc, Ste 800, 230 Park Ave, New York, NY 10169, USA)
  • Mitchell Alameddine, Division of Health Services Research, Dept. of Urology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
  • Shan Wu, Oluwaseun Orikogbo, Danielle Sharbaugh, Jonathan G. Yabes, Daisy Obiora, Michael G. Stencel, Benjamin J. Davies, Lindsay M. Sabik, and Bruce L. Jacobs (authors of the study)