Analysis of the frequency of radiation therapy complications in patients with prostate cancer

Abstract

Aim. Study of the frequency of radiation therapy complications in patients with prostate cancer. 
 Methods. The study included 142 patients who underwent radiation therapy combined with hormonal therapy in 2001-2015. Average age of patients was 68 years. All of them received 3D-conformal radiotherapy by linear accelerators with 6 to 15 MV photon beams. Single boost dose was 2 Gy, total boost dose was 75 Gy. We studied frequency and severity of acute hematological toxicity and early and late gastroenterological and urological complications of the treatment. Treatment-related toxicity was assessed by RTOG/ EORTC and CTCAE v. 4.0 scales. 
 Results. Early radiation-induced proctitis of I, II and III degree were registered in 95 (66.9%), 32 (22.5%) and 8 (5.6%) patients, respectively. Acute cystitis of I, II and III degree were noted in 22 (15.5%), 87 (61.3%) and 16 (11.3%) patients, respectively. Signs of late radiation-induced proctitis of I degree was diagnosed in 21 (14.8%) cases. Late radiation-induced cystitis of I degree was diagnoswed in 37 (26.1%) patients. No late complications of higher severity occurred. 
 Conclusion. The results of the conducted study showed that use of high-tech precision external-beam radiotherapy techniques in the treatment of prostate cancer along with high efficacy allows to reduce the number of early and late complications.