The effect of radiotherapy on urethral obstruction from carcinoma of the prostate

Abstract

Objective To assess the impact of radiotherapy on the The grade and stage of tumour did not influence the duration of catheterization. The median time from relief of complete bladder outlet obstruction requiring catheterization secondary to prostatic carcinoma.completion of radiotherapy to catheter removal was 10 weeks (range 0-46). Recatheterization was Patients and methods From a consecutive series of 151 patients treated with radiotherapy for localized carci-required in two patients at 3 and 64 months after radiotherapy and three patients, including these two, noma of the prostate, 19 (12.6%; median age 72 years, range 59-83) who had an indwelling catheter required transurethral prostatectomy (TURP) to relieve outlet obstruction. in situ at the time of irradiation because of urinary retention, were analysed retrospectively and groupedConclusion Prostatic radiotherapy is effective in relieving bladder neck obstruction caused by prostate cancer. according to the stage and grade of tumour and the irradiation dose delivered.Most patients will achieve normal urinary function without requiring TURP after treatment. Results The catheter was removed following radiotherapy in all but two patients, who both had stage 4 Keywords Bladder outlet obstruction, prostate cancer, radiotherapy tumours, and normal urinary function was restored.have profound implications on the selection of treatment,