Lower Bladder Toxicity of Salvage Versus Adjuvant Modern Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer Patients

Background/aim: In prostate cancer, postoperative radiotherapy timing is debated to avoid overtreatments and toxicities. This study compared acute and late rectal and bladder toxicities in the adjuvant and salvage setting.

Patients and methods: In total, 129 patients were analyzed in two groups: adjuvant radiotherapy (aRT) and salvage radiotherapy (sRT).

Results: In aRT and sRT, grade 1 (G1) acute bladder toxicities were detected in 40 and 30 patients, and grade 2 (G2) in 1 and 6; G1 late bladder toxicities were described in 30 and 20, and G2 in 6 and 2, respectively. In aRT and sRT, acute G1 rectal toxicities were reported in 18 and 27 patients, and G2 in 5 and 4, respectively. Late rectal G1 toxicities were observed in 10 patients, G2 in 6 and G3 in 1 in the aRT. In sRT, 8 patients and 1 developed G1 and G2 toxicities, respectively. Regarding bladder toxicity, a higher incidence occurred in aRT; late toxicity was lower in sRT.

Conclusion: Adjuvant and salvage RT in prostate cancer treatment resulted in acceptable toxicities.