To evaluate quality of life changes up to 5 years after prostate cancer radiation therapy (RT) with a hydrogel spacer.
METHODS AND MATERIALS:
In the years 2010 to 2011, 114 patients received external beam radiation therapy to the prostate; 54 patients were selected for a hydrogel injection before the beginning of RT. Treatment was performed applying fractions of 2 Gy up to a total dose of 76 Gy (n=96) or 78 Gy (n=18, all with hydrogel). Patients were surveyed before RT; at the last day of RT; and a median time of 2 months, 17 months, and 63 months after RT using a validated questionnaire (Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite). A mean score change of >5 points was defined as clinically relevant.
RESULTS:
For patients treated with a hydrogel spacer, mean bowel function and bother score changes of >5 points in comparison with baseline levels were found only at the end of RT (10-15 points; P<.01). No spacer patient reported moderate or big problems with his bowel habits overall. Mean bother score changes of 21 points at the end of RT, 8 points at 2 months, 7 points at 17 months, and 6 points at 63 months after RT were found for patients treated without a spacer. A bowel bother score change >10 points was found in 6% versus 32% (P<.01) at 17 months and in 5% versus 14% (P=.2) at 63 months with versus without a spacer.
CONCLUSIONS:
The first 5-year quality of life results in a group of prostate cancer patients treated with a hydrogel spacer demonstrate excellent treatment tolerability, in particular regarding bowel problems. Further studies with dose-escalated or re-irradiation concepts can be encouraged.
Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2017 Oct 1;99(2):374-377. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2017.05.035. Epub 2017 May 31.
Pub Med
Author Information:
Michael Pinkawa1, Vanessa Berneking2, Marsha Schlenter2, Barbara Krenkel2, Michael J Eble2.
1 Department of Radiation Oncology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Department of Radiation Oncology, MediClin Robert Janker Klinik, Bonn, Germany.
2 Department of Radiation Oncology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
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