Study summary

A lower radiation dose cleared early anal cancer just as often, with fewer side effects

PLATO ACT4 trial · 163 people at 28 UK centers · Published May 2025, Lancet Oncology

92% vs 87%had all visible cancer gone at 6 months, lower vs standard dose

What was tested

A lower dose of radiation (41.4 Gy) against the standard dose (50.4 Gy), both with chemotherapy, for small anal cancers that had not spread.

What they found

What it means

Supports gentler treatment for early anal cancer. Final 3-year results will decide whether it becomes standard.

Lancet Oncol, via PubMed ↗ ← Back to the outlook
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