Rectal radiation dose-reduction techniques in prostate cancer: a focus on the rectal spacer. (25th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Leiker, Andrew J; Desai, Neil B; Folkert, Michael R
• Is Part Of: Future oncology. Volume 14:Number 26(2018)
• Page Start: 2773
• Page End: 2788
• Publication Date: 2018-06-25
• Subjects: endorectal balloon -- erectile dysfunction -- prostate cancer -- radiation therapy -- rectal spacer -- rectal toxicity -- stereotactic ablative radiotherapy -- stereotactic body radiotherapy; Oncology -- Periodicals; 616.99405
• DOI: 10.2217/fon-2018-0286
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1479-6694

Abstract

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. External beam radiotherapy by a variety of methods is a standard treatment option with excellent disease control. However, acute and late rectal side effects remain a limiting concern in intensification of therapy in higher-risk patients and in efforts to reduce treatment burden in others. A number of techniques have emerged that allow for high-radiation dose delivery to the prostate with reduced risk of rectal toxicity, including image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy, endorectal balloons and various forms of rectal spacers. Image-guided radiation therapy, either intensity-modulated radiation therapy or stereotactic ablative radiation therapy, in conjunction with a rectal spacer, is an efficacious means to reduce acute and long-term rectal toxicity.