Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy for Comprehensive Treatment of Oligometastatic (1-3 Metastases) Cancer
This research is testing a special type of radiotherapy called Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR). SABR delivers high doses of radiation very accurately to small cancer growths, known as metastases, that have spread from the original cancer. It's a non-invasive treatment given as an outpatient. The study aims to compare SABR with the usual standard radiotherapy. We want to find out if SABR helps people live longer, prevents the cancer from growing, reduces side effects, and improves their quality of life. We're also looking at the costs involved and trying to find ways to predict who might benefit most from SABR. It's for people aged 18 or over with 1 to 3 current metastases, with good general health.
At a glance
What is this study about?
This study is exploring a modern and precise way of giving radiotherapy called Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy, or SABR for short. Imagine a very focused beam of light that can target a specific spot with great accuracy; SABR works a bit like that with radiation. It delivers a high dose of radiation directly to small cancer growths that have spread to other parts of the body, while trying to protect the healthy tissues around them. This treatment is non-invasive, meaning no surgery is involved, and it's given during short visits, so you don't have to stay in hospital.
The main goal of this research is to see how SABR compares to the standard radiotherapy treatments currently available for people with a few small cancer growths (usually 1 to 3). We want to understand if SABR can help people live longer, stop their cancer from growing for a longer time, lead to fewer side effects, and ultimately improve their overall quality of life. We're also carefully looking at the costs of this treatment and trying to find out if there are any clues in patient samples that could help doctors know which people would benefit most from SABR.
Patients taking part in this study will be split into two groups. One group will receive SABR, and the other will receive the best standard radiotherapy care that's already in use. This comparison is important to help us understand if SABR is a better option for people with this type of cancer spread.
Key takeaways
- Targets small cancer growths that have spread (1-3 current growths).
- Compares precise radiotherapy (SABR) with standard radiotherapy.
- Aims to improve survival, reduce side effects, and boost quality of life.
- Treatment is given as an outpatient, no hospital stay required.
- Eligibility depends on your specific cancer, general health, and recent scans.
- You'll be monitored closely with regular check-ups and scans.
Who may be eligible?
To be considered for this study, you would generally need to be 18 years old or older and have a diagnosis of cancer that has spread, with a total of 1 to 3 current small cancer growths (metastases) and no more than 8 growths ever in your lifetime. Your main cancer must also be under control. You should be in reasonably good general health, able to carry out your daily activities with little or no difficulty, and expected to live for more than six months.
There are also some medical checks needed, like recent scans (CT, PET-CT, or bone scans) to confirm the location and size of the cancer growths, and sometimes brain scans depending on your type of cancer. You should not be suitable for surgery to remove all the cancer growths, or you might have chosen not to have surgery. It's also important that you are able to stay still during the treatment and can use any special equipment needed to keep you in the right position.
Women who could become pregnant will need a negative pregnancy test. The medical team will review all your health information to make sure the study is a safe and suitable option for you.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you 18 years old or older?
- Do you have 1 to 3 current cancer growths that have spread?
- Is your main cancer under control?
- Are you generally well and able to do most daily activities?
- Have you had recent scans (CT, PET-CT, or bone scan) within the past 8 weeks?
- Are you unable to have surgery to remove all the growths, or have you chosen not to?
What does participation involve?
If you join this study, you will first have a series of health checks and scans to make sure you're suitable. Once enrolled, you'll be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one receiving SABR and the other receiving standard radiotherapy. You won't get to choose which treatment you receive. Both treatments involve a number of radiation sessions given over a period of days or weeks, depending on the specific plan and the location of your cancer growths. For SABR, you might need special equipment to help you stay still during treatment.
Throughout the study, you'll have regular follow-up appointments, including check-ups, blood tests, and scans, to monitor your cancer, assess any side effects, and check your general well-being and quality of life. The doctors will also consider any other cancer treatments you might be having, such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy. The specific duration of your participation will depend on how your treatment progresses and the follow-up schedule, but it involves ongoing monitoring after your radiotherapy is complete.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (17)
- Cancer Care GriffithVerified postcodeGriffith, Australia
- Riverina Cancer Care CentreVerified postcodeWagga Wagga, Australia
- Alfred HospitalVerified postcodeMelbourne, Australia
- Tom Baker Cancer Centre/Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer CentreVerified postcodeCalgary, Canada
- BC CancerVerified postcodeKelowna, Canada
- BC Cancer - Prince GeorgeVerified postcodePrince George, Canada
- BC CancerVerified postcodeSurrey, Canada
- BC CancerVerified postcodeVancouver, Canada
- BC CancerVerified postcodeVictoria, Canada
- London Health Sciences CentreVerified postcodeLondon, Canada
- Walker Family Cancer CentreUnverifiedSaint Catharines, Canada
- St. Luke's Radiation Oncology NetworkVerified postcodeRathgar, Ireland
Common questions
What is 'oligometastatic' cancer?
This simply means your cancer has spread to a few, usually 1 to 3, small areas in your body, rather than many.
What is SABR?
SABR (Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy) is a very precise type of radiation treatment that delivers high doses to cancer growths while trying to protect healthy tissue surrounding them.
Will I have to stay in hospital for this treatment?
No, both SABR and standard radiotherapy treatments in this study are generally given during outpatient visits, meaning you go home afterwards.
What kind of scans might I need?
You'll likely need scans like CT, PET-CT, or bone scans to identify and monitor your cancer growths. Sometimes a brain scan is also needed.
Can I choose which treatment I get?
No, participants are randomly assigned to either SABR or standard radiotherapy, like flipping a coin, to ensure a fair comparison.
How to find out more
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Discussion
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