Comparing dosimetric, morbidity, quality of life, and cancer control outcomes after 3D conformal, intensity-modulated, and proton radiation therapy for prostate cancer.

New radiation technologies have been developed and adopted for clinical use in prostate cancer treatment in response to a need to deliver dose-escalated radiation therapy while minimizing treatment-related morbidity. The goal of this article is to examine the currently available evidence comparing dosimetric and patient outcomes of newer versus older radiation technologies in prostate cancer. Overall, although a body of dosimetry studies have demonstrated the ability of newer versus older technologies (intensity-modulated radiation therapy vs 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy; proton vs intensity-modulated radiation therapy) to reduce radiation doses delivered to the rectum and bladder, more studies are needed to demonstrate that these dosimetric benefits translate into improved patient outcomes.