Acute toxicity in patients with high-risk prostate cancer treated with stereotactic body radiation, with irradiation to the prostate and pelvic nodes

Purpose

Stereotactic body radiation therapy has been used for prostate cancer. However, the bulk of published studies on stereotactic body radiation therapy for prostate cancer has involved the irradiation of the prostate alone, without irradiation of the pelvic lymph nodes. We report our preliminary experience with this approach.

Material and methods

The files of patients with biopsy-proven prostate cancer treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy in our institution were reviewed. Stereotactic body radiation was delivered with intensity modulated-volumetric arctherapy with daily image-guidance. The prostate planning target volume included the prostate plus a margin of 5 mm in all directions. The pelvic planning target volume included pelvic nodes plus an expansion of 6 to 7 mm in all directions. The prostate planning target volume received a total dose of 36.25 Gy delivered in five fractions on alternate days. The nodal planning target volume received a dose of 25 Gy in the same five fractions. Patients were followed during treatment, after 1, and 3 months and every 6 months thereafter. Gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicity was prospectively graded according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events.

Results

Among the 188 patients, 80 received stereotactic body radiation to the prostate and the pelvic nodes, while 108 received stereotactic body radiation to the prostate target only. Grade 2 acute gastrointestinal toxicity was 4% in both groups, and grade 2 acute genitourinary toxicity was 27% and 20% (P = 0.9) for prostate only versus prostate and pelvis respectively. There was no grade 3 or higher acute gastrointestinal or genitourinary toxicity.

Conclusion

Stereotactic body radiation therapy in five fractions including the prostate and pelvic nodes, in patients with high-risk prostate cancer, has been feasible and safe in terms of acute toxicity.