Patients suffering from prostate cancer are more likely to survive if they undergo surgery rather than radiotherapy, according to research published in the journal, European Urology.

The study, which has been described as the most robust comparison of surgery and radiotherapy yet, found that surgery resulted in better survival rates for prostate cancer patients than radiotherapy.

The new research looks at the results of 19 different studies covering 118,000 prostate cancer patients who underwent one or other of the forms of treatment.

One of the authors of the report has stated that, while the results of surgery were generally better, radiotherapy may be more effective for some people and each case should be treated in accordance with the requirements of that individual patient.

The Chairman of the European Association of Urology Prostate Guideline Panel has called for the research to be taken note of as it bases its results on such a huge volume of cases. He did warn, however, that the report did not provide one definitive answer.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in British men. More than 43,000 men were diagnosed with the disease in 2012.

Sharon Banga, a clinical negligence solicitor at Thompsons Solicitors office, said: “Prostate cancer affects the lives of tens of thousands of men every year and, unfortunately, survival rates are relatively poor. The findings of this report need to be taken seriously and patients need to be treated on an individual basis to ensure they receive the most appropriate course of treatment for them.

“It is vital that the government takes heed of this report and provides healthcare workers with the necessary resources to enable them to make a decision on what treatment will give a patient the best chance of survival not on what is most economical for the Trust. All patients should have access to the best possible cancer services.”