Research Discovery: Improving Cancer Care With Shorter Radiation Treatments

Aug 7, 2025 | Jasmine Souers | @jasminesouers

Many patients struggle to access advanced cancer treatments, especially those in rural communities or with limited financial resources. By developing shorter radiation schedules, we can bring high-quality care closer to those who need it most.

New Advances in Radiation Therapy

Mayo Clinic researchers are testing shorter radiation treatments that work just as well as traditional methods but require fewer sessions. Here’s how:

Breast Cancer (Dr. Corbin’s study): Patients can now complete radiation therapy (high-energy X-rays that kill cancer cells) in just 5 sessions instead of the usual 15 to 19 sessions, making treatment faster and just as effective.
Prostate Cancer (Drs. Hallemeier and Ashman): High-risk patients receive 5 precise treatments using advanced technology:

- Adaptive radiosurgery, a type of radiation that adjusts to the tumor’s shape, targets the area where the prostate was removed called the prostate bed.
- Proton therapy, a radiation treatment that uses protons instead of X-rays, is used for both the prostate bed and nearby lymph nodes (small glands that help fight infections).
Head and Neck Cancers (Drs. Routman and Ma):
- For HPV-positive throat cancer (cancer linked to the human papillomavirus), patients get a 2-week radiation course combined with a gentler form of chemotherapy.
- Another approach adjusts treatment based on how quickly the body clears tumor DNA from the blood, making care more personalized.