[Genitourinary complications after pelvic radiotherapy: Diagnosis and management]

Objective: The purpose of this review was to present the different genitourinary complications following pelvic radiotherapy as well as their assessment and treatments.

Methods: A review of literature was conducted using Medline/Pubmed database without period restriction. In order to write this article, we also use the 2016 AFSOS, SFRO and AFU recommendations.

Results: On the one hand, early side effects are common and mild. The symptomatic treatments available generally provide effective relief to patients. On the other hand, late adverse effects need long and complex care. Its side effects alter the quality of life and can be life-threatening. The effects of radiotherapy are irreversible. Except hyperbaric oxygen therapy and hyaluronic acid/chondroitin sulfate instillations, treatments remain symptomatic. Urethrovesical fibroscopy is essential in cases of gross hematuria, and urodynamic assessment (or videourodynamic) can be used in cases of severe vesicosphincter disorders. Pharmacological treatments are less effective than in non-radiation patients, and the morbidity of surgical treatments is higher in this population.

Conclusion: Genitourinary complications after pelvic radiotherapy are frequent and mild in the early phase but rare and severe in the late phase. Their management is based on a vast diagnostic and therapeutic arsenal, but the treatments are only symptomatic, and the sequelae of radiotherapy remains, to date, irreversible.