INTRODUCTION: Although radical radiotherapy has proved to be a successful method in prostate cancer treatment, the conventional (box) technique can result in significant adverse events. OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to estimate the frequency, type and severity of acute and late toxicity in radical radiotherapy of prostate cancer. METHODS: In a clinical retrospective study, we included 283 patients with histologically confirmed prostate cancer. All our patients received radical, conventional radiotherapy using the four-field technique. The study was performed at the Radiotherapy Department of the institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia between January 1991 and December 2005. During regular follow-up, we analysed the frequency, type and severity of acute and late toxicity. RESULTS: Two thirds (71%) of our patients had acute toxicity of at least one organ within the radiation field. Most frequent complication was radiation dermatitis (10.5%), and enteritis (9%), cystitis (6%) and proctitis (2.5%). Acute adverse events were mostly low grade (I and II, 28-61%). Late complications were registered in 20.5% of patients. Skin fibrosis was most frequent (12%). Chronic proctitis was detected in 4% and urethral stricture in 4.5% of our patients. All late complications were low grade. CONCLUSION: Treatment tolerance of radical radiotherapy is relatively good. Although most patients develop acute toxicity, it is commonly low grade and requires the interruption of radiotherapy treatment in 20% of patients only. Late toxicity is rarer than acute and, in most cases, it does not affect the quality of life.
INTRODUCTION: Although radical radiotherapy has proved to be a successful method in prostate cancer treatment, the conventional (box) technique can result in significant adverse events. OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to estimate the frequency, type and severity of acute and late toxicity in radical radiotherapy of prostate cancer. METHODS: In a clinical retrospective study, we included 283 patients with histologically confirmed prostate cancer. All our patients received radical, conventional radiotherapy using the four-field technique. The study was performed at the Radiotherapy Department of the institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia between January 1991 and December 2005. During regular follow-up, we analysed the frequency, type and severity of acute and late toxicity. RESULTS: Two thirds (71%) of our patients had acute toxicity of at least one organ within the radiation field. Most frequent complication was radiation dermatitis (10.5%), and enteritis (9%), cystitis (6%) and proctitis (2.5%). Acute adverse events were mostly low grade (I and II, 28-61%). Late complications were registered in 20.5% of patients. Skin fibrosis was most frequent (12%). Chronic proctitis was detected in 4% and urethral stricture in 4.5% of our patients. All late complications were low grade. CONCLUSION: Treatment tolerance of radical radiotherapy is relatively good. Although most patients develop acute toxicity, it is commonly low grade and requires the interruption of radiotherapy treatment in 20% of patients only. Late toxicity is rarer than acute and, in most cases, it does not affect the quality of life.