Helical tomotherapy with simultaneous integrated boost for high-risk and lymph node-positive prostate cancer: early report on acute and late toxicity

Technol Cancer Res Treat. 2009 Oct;8(5):353-59. doi: 10.1177/153303460900800505.

Abstract

The use of whole pelvic radiotherapy (WPRT) for high-risk and lymph node-positive prostate cancer (PC) remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acute toxicity associated with helical tomotherapy in the treatment of high-risk and lymph node-positive prostate cancer. To do so, twenty-eight patients were treated to a dose of 54 Gy in daily fractions of 1.8 Gy to the pelvic lymph node area, while the prostate and the seminal vesicles received a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) to a dose of 70.5 Gy. A SIB to a dose of 60 Gy was delivered to the involved lymph node region(s) in 8 patients with pelvic lymph node metastases. All patients received concurrent hormonal treatment. The incidence of grade 2 and 3 acute gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity was 7% and 0% respectively. Grade 2 and 3 acute genito-urinary (GU) side effects were observed in 14% and 4% of the patients respectively. No grade 4 side effects occurred. No increased toxicity was observed in the 8 lymph node-positive patients receiving a simultaneous pelvic nodal dose escalation. In conclusion, WPRT with a SIB to the prostate and seminal vesicles by helical tomotherapy resulted in a favourable toxicity profile. Pelvic nodal dose escalation in node-positive patients is feasible without increasing toxicity.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Humans
  • Lymph Nodes / radiation effects*
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Pelvis / pathology
  • Pelvis / radiation effects
  • Prognosis
  • Prostate / radiation effects*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Radiation Injuries / etiology*
  • Radiotherapy, Computer-Assisted
  • Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated / adverse effects*
  • Seminal Vesicles / pathology
  • Seminal Vesicles / radiation effects
  • Tomography, Spiral Computed / instrumentation*
  • Tomography, Spiral Computed / methods