Urethral and bladder dose-effect relations for late genitourinary toxicity following external beam radiotherapy for prostate cancer in the FLAME trial

  • Veerle H Groen
  • , Marcel van Schie
  • , Nicolaas P A Zuithoff
  • , Evelyn M Monninkhof
  • , Martina Kunze-Busch
  • , Johannes C J de Boer
  • , Jochem van der Voort van Zijp
  • , Floris J Pos
  • , Robert Jan Smeenk
  • , Karin Haustermans
  • , Sofie Isebaert
  • , Cédric Draulans
  • , Tom Depuydt
  • , Helena M Verkooijen
  • , Uulke A van der Heide
  • , Linda G W Kerkmeijer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

Purpose or objectives: The FLAME trial (NCT01168479) showed that by adding a focal boost to conventional fractionated EBRT in the treatment of localized prostate cancer, the five-year biochemical disease-free survival increased, without significantly increasing toxicity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between radiation dose to the bladder and urethra and genitourinary (GU) toxicity grade ≥2 in the entire cohort. Material and methods: The dose–effect relations of the urethra and bladder dose, separately, and GU toxicity grade ≥2 (CTCAE 3.0) up to five years after treatment were assessed. A mixed model analysis for repeated measurements was used, adjusting for age, diabetes mellitus, T-stage, baseline GU toxicity grade ≥1 and institute. Additionally, the association between the dose and separate GU toxicity subdomains were investigated. Results: Dose-effect relations were observed for the dose (Gy) to the bladder D2 cm 3 and urethra D0.1 cm 3, with adjusted odds ratios of 1.14 (95% CI 1.12–1.16, p < 0.0001) and 1.12 (95% CI 1.11–1.14, p < 0.0001), respectively. Additionally, associations between the dose to the urethra and bladder and the subdomains urinary frequency, urinary retention and urinary incontinence were observed. Conclusion: Further increasing the dose to the bladder and urethra will result in a significant increase in GU toxicity following EBRT. Focal boost treatment plans should incorporate a urethral dose-constraint. Further treatment optimization to increase the focal boost dose without increasing the dose to the urethra and other organs at risk should be a focus for future research, as we have shown that a focal boost is beneficial in the treatment of prostate cancer.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)127-132
Number of pages6
JournalRadiotherapy & Oncology
Volume167
Early online date28 Dec 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2022

Keywords

  • Bladder dose
  • Dose-effect relations
  • External beam radiotherapy
  • Focal boosting
  • Genitourinary toxicity
  • Prostate cancer
  • Urethral dose

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