Toxicity outcome of endorectal brachytherapy boost in medically inoperable patients.

Abstract

This communication reviews results and toxicity of image-guided high-dose-rate endorectal brachytherapy (HDREBT) boost after external beam radiotherapy (ERT) in medically inoperable patients with rectal cancer. A total of 18patients with rectal cancer and clinical stage T2-4N0‑2 treated with HDREBT boost after ERT were retrospectively reviewed. Following treatment with amedian total dose (EQD2, α/β = 10) of 66 Gy (range 48-92 Gy), the incidence of early and late rectal grade3 toxicity was 11% and 19%, respectively. There was no correlation between the occurrence of acute and late toxicity. With proper technique, acombined approach using EBRT and HDREBT was associated with acceptable toxicity in medically inoperable rectal cancer patients.