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Quality of life > 5 years after prostate cancer radiation therapy with a radiopaque viscous hydrogel spacer
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M. Pinkawa   , H. Haddad , A. Rashid , S. Temming , H. Hermani , M. Schlenter |
| Department of Radiation Oncology, Wege Klinik, Bonn, Germany , michael.pinkawa@post.rwth-aachen.de |
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Abstract: (8 Views) |
Background: Perirectal spacers are injected to decrease the dose to the rectum and prevent rectal toxicity in prostate cancer radiotherapy. Advantages of a radiopaque viscous hydrogel spacer are a good visibility in computed tomography and improved placement control. The aim of this study was to demonstrate unaffected long-term bowel quality of life (QoL) in comparison to baseline levels, independently from radiotherapy (RT) treatment technique. Materials and Methods: Patients responded to the EPIC (Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite) questionnaire before RT, at the last day of RT, 3 months, >12 months and >60 months after RT (n=27). A significant QoL change was defined as a statistically significant mean change >5 points in comparison to baseline. Results: The largest mean bowel domain changes were found at the end of RT (>10 points in the function and bother subdomains, respectively). Function subdomain changes remained without a significant difference in comparison to baseline at all later points in time (<3 points, respectively). In the bother subdomain, changes remained >5 points and statistically significant (8 and 6 points after >12 and >60 months, repsectively). In contrast to patients after pelvic node RT, the difference after >60 months was <5 points for patients after prostate only RT (12 vs. 4 points with vs. without pelvic node RT). Conclusion: The first QoL analysis after RT with a radiopaque viscous hydrogel spacer showed unaffected long-term bowel QoL in patients with limitation of the target volume to the prostate. |
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| Keywords: Prostate cancer, radiotherapy, brachytherapy, hydrogel, quality of life. |
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Full-Text [PDF 821 kb]
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Type of Study: Original Research |
Subject:
Radiation Biology
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