Risk for second primary cancers after IMRT versus 3DCRT for prostate cancer in older men

It is not clear whether the risk of second primary cancer (SPC) varies with 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) versus intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for prostate cancer in older men (aged 66 years or older). In a large-scale, population-based cohort study from 2002 to 2015, the risk for developing a solid cancer was reduced with IMRT compared with 3DCRT, but only for patients treated during the earlier portion of the study period (2002 to 2005) and most notably colon cancer. The authors conclude that treatment with IMRT for prostate cancer is not associated with an increased risk of SPCs, either solid or hematologic.