Zelefsky et al. have reported the incidence and predictors of treatment-related toxicities after three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for localized prostate cancer.
Between 1988 and 2000, they treated 1571 patients with stages T1-T3 prostate cancer with 3D-CRT/IMRT using radiation doses from 66 to 81 Gy. The median follow-up was 10 years. The use of IMRT significantly reduced the risk of gastrointestinal toxicities compared with patients treated with conventional 3D-CRT (from 13 percent to 5 percent). They report that serious late toxicity was unusual despite the high radiation dose levels used. Higher radiation doses were associated with increased risk for Grade 2 toxicities, but the risk of proctitis was significantly reduced with IMRT.
Filed under: Management, Treatment
