Izvorni znanstveni članak
The first experience with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for prostate cancer in The University Hospital for Tumors in Zagreb
Mladen Solarić
; Department of Radiation Therapy, University Hospital for Tumors, Zagreb, Croatia
Mirko Šamija
; Department of Radiation Therapy, University Hospital for Tumors, Zagreb, Croatia
Sažetak
Three-dimensional (3D) conformal radiation therapy is a standard of care in prostate cancer patients. It is delivered in either adjuvant or salvage setting, and only occasionally as palliative treatment. The University Hospital for Tumors in Zagreb, Croatia introduced the technique in November 2005.
During the introductory period of six months, 3D-conformal radiotherapy was given to 86 prostate cancer patients, the majority of them with primary prostate cancer (60.47%). Only 4 patients received palliative treatment, and the remaining 30 were administered post-surgical (adjuvant or salvage) radiotherapy. The paper presents characteristics of patients and their treatment. The median duration of irradiation planning was 17.5, 15 and 13 days for primary, adjuvant and salvage radiotherapy, respectively. A radiation dose exceeding 70 Gy was delivered to 48 (92.31%) of primary irradiated patients with the median dose of 76 Gy. The median dose in both adjuvant and salvage irradiated patients was 10 Gy lower. The standard box technique was applied in 98.91% of patients. Treatment took longer than anticipated for the median of 10 days at primary and adjuvant radiotherapy, and for 15 days at salvage radiotherapy. Acute urinary and rectal side effects of radiation were reported in 22.54% and 23.94% of patients, respectively.
The first experiences show the feasibility of 3D-conformal radiation therapy for prostate cancer patients at the University Hospital for Tumors. The complexity of the procedure, non-existence of a unique algorithm, and also heavy linac workload are the reasons for the relatively long irradiation planning. Longer treatment is less a result of side effects than of occasional problems with linear accelerators. The low rate of early side effects primarily results from a retrospective study and incomplete records of radiotherapy side effects.
Ključne riječi
prostate cancer; 3D-conformal radiotherapy; dose escalation, toxicity
Hrčak ID:
281490
URI
Datum izdavanja:
7.12.2006.
Posjeta: 1.212 *