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GU, GI toxicity due to proton therapy minimal for prostate cancer
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Proton beam therapy was safe for men with prostate cancer and had minimal genitourinary and gastrointestinal adverse effects, according to data from three prospective trials.
“Proton therapy is becoming more popular as a treatment for prostate cancer, but it is unclear at this point whether the long-term outcomes with proton therapy will be better than those achieved with other treatments,” Nancy Mendenhall, MD, medical director of the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute in Jacksonville, said in a press release. “These protocols were designed to establish benchmark results with proton therapy given with relatively high daily doses.”
To examine whether higher doses of radiation with proton therapy would cause early adverse effects to urinary function within the genitourinary system and rectal function within the gastrointestinal system, the researchers examined data from 212 patients with prostate cancer enrolled in one of three prospective trials from August 2006 to October 2007. Patients at high risk had also been assigned docetaxel followed by hormone therapy. Follow-up was one year or more.
Minimal early genitourinary and gastrointestinal toxicities were observed. Less than 1% of patients experienced severe grade-3 genitourinary adverse effects. A significant link was observed between genitourinary adverse effects posttreatment and urinary function in patients before treatment.
Additionally, less than 0.5% of patients experienced grade-3 gastrointestinal toxicities. Minimal rectal bleeding was the most common gastrointestinal adverse effect and was associated with the percentage of rectal wall receiving a range of radiation doses. The incidence and severity of rectal symptoms were associated with post-treatment colonoscopic interventions as well.
“While some toxicity may occur later, we are very pleased with the early toxicity profile in comparison with other treatment options,” Mendenhall said. “Further follow-up will be necessary to ensure that these men do not have any [adverse] effects that appear years after the treatment.”
For more information:
- Mendenhall N. #23.