Whole Pelvic Radiotherapy with IMRT in Prostate Cancer Treatment Yields Very Low GI Toxicity

Abstract

Randomized trials demonstrate the benefit of whole pelvic radiotherapy (WPRT) in localized, high risk prostate cancer and ongoing trials are evaluating post-prostatectomy WPRT. WPRT increases gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity compared to radiation therapy to the periprostatic region alone. Small retrospective series demonstrate that IMRT decreases WPRT toxicity compared to 3D conformal techniques. However, there is scant literature reporting the toxicity of WPRT exclusively with IMRT in the definitive or post-operative setting.