Strict bladder filling and rectal emptying during prostate SBRT: Does it make a dosimetric or clinical difference? Journal Article


Authors: Byun, D. J.; Gorovets, D. J.; Jacobs, L. M.; Happersett, L.; Zhang, P.; Pei, X.; Burleson, S.; Zhang, Z.; Hunt, M.; McBride, S.; Kollmeier, M. A.; Zelefsky, M. J.
Article Title: Strict bladder filling and rectal emptying during prostate SBRT: Does it make a dosimetric or clinical difference?
Abstract: Background: To evaluate inter-fractional variations in bladder and rectum during prostate stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and determine dosimetric and clinical consequences. Methods: Eighty-five patients with 510 computed tomography (CT) images were analyzed. Median prescription dose was 40 Gy in 5 fractions. Patients were instructed to maintain a full bladder and empty rectum prior to simulation and each treatment. A single reviewer delineated organs at risk (OARs) on the simulation (Sim-CT) and Cone Beam CTs (CBCT) for analyses. Results: Bladder and rectum volume reductions were observed throughout the course of SBRT, with largest mean reductions of 86.9 mL (19.0%) for bladder and 6.4 mL (8.7%) for rectum noted at fraction #5 compared to Sim-CT (P < 0.01). Higher initial Sim-CT bladder volumes were predictive for greater reduction in absolute bladder volume during treatment (ρ = − 0.69; P < 0.01). Over the course of SBRT, there was a small but significant increase in bladder mean dose (+ 4.5 ± 12.8%; P < 0.01) but no significant change in the D2cc (+ 0.8 ± 4.0%; P = 0.28). The mean bladder trigone displacement was in the anterior direction (+ 4.02 ± 6.59 mm) with a corresponding decrease in mean trigone dose (− 3.6 ± 9.6%; P < 0.01) and D2cc (− 6.2 ± 15.6%; P < 0.01). There was a small but significant increase in mean rectal dose (+ 7.0 ± 12.9%, P < 0.01) but a decrease in rectal D2cc (− 2.2 ± 10.1%; P = 0.04). No significant correlations were found between relative bladder volume changes, bladder trigone displacements, or rectum volume changes with rates of genitourinary or rectal toxicities. Conclusions: Despite smaller than expected bladder and rectal volumes at the time of treatment compared to the planning scans, dosimetric impact was minimal and not predictive of detrimental clinical outcomes. These results cast doubt on the need for excessively strict bladder filling and rectal emptying protocols in the context of image guided prostate SBRT and prospective studies are needed to determine its necessity. © 2020, The Author(s).
Keywords: prostate cancer; sbrt; bladder volume; interfractional organ displacement; rectum volume
Journal Title: Radiation Oncology
Volume: 15
ISSN: 1748-717X
Publisher: Biomed Central Ltd  
Date Published: 2020-10-16
Start Page: 239
Language: English
DOI: 10.1186/s13014-020-01681-6
PUBMED: 33066781
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC7565753
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 2 November 2020 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Zhigang Zhang
    428 Zhang
  2. Michael J Zelefsky
    754 Zelefsky
  3. Marisa A Kollmeier
    227 Kollmeier
  4. Pengpeng Zhang
    175 Zhang
  5. Margie A Hunt
    287 Hunt
  6. Xin Pei
    134 Pei
  7. Lauren Michelle Jacobs
    17 Jacobs
  8. Sean Matthew McBride
    295 McBride