Does Irradiation of Pelvic Lymph Nodes Have an Impact on the Bladder Filling Status in Patients With High-risk Prostate Cancer?

BACKGROUND/AIM: In patients irradiated for high-risk prostate cancer, bladder volumes should be ≥200 ml to reduce the risk of radiation cystitis. A prospective trial evaluates a reminder app to increase bladder filling during irradiation without pelvic lymph nodes (LN). This retrospective study investigates whether patients irradiated with LN can also be included in that trial.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Forty patients irradiated with (N=17, group A) or without (N=23, group B) pelvic LN and presenting with a pre-irradiation bladder volume <200 ml were analyzed regarding fractions with a bladder volume <200 ml.

RESULTS

Mean numbers of fractions with a volume <200 ml in the entire cohort, group A, and group B were 29.0±7.0, 28.8±7.6, and 29.2±6.6, respectively. The difference between groups A and B was not significant (p=0.978).

CONCLUSION

Irradiation of pelvic LN had no significant impact on the number of fractions for bladder volumes <200 ml. Patients irradiated with LN may be included in the prospective trial.