Rectal Planning Risk Volume Correlation with Acute and Late Toxicity in 3-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate rectum motion during 3-Dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) in prostate cancer patients, to derive a planning volume at risk (PRV) and to correlate the PRV dose-volume histograms (DVH) with treatment complications. This study was conducted in two phases. Initially, the PRV was defined prospectively in 50 consecutive prostate cancer patients (Group 1) who received a radical course of 3-D CRT. Then, the obtained PRV was used in the radiotherapy planning of these same 50 patients plus another 59 prostate cancer patients (Group 2) previously treated between 2004 and 2008. All these patients' data, including the rectum and PRV DVHs, were correlated to acute and late complications, according to the Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC) v4.0. The largest displacement occurred in the anterior axis. Long-term gastrointestinal (GI) complications grade ≥2 were seen in 9.2% of the cases. Factors that influenced acute GI reactions were: doses at 25% (p = 0.011) and 40% (p = 0.005) of the rectum volume and at 40% of the PRV (p = 0.012). The dose at 25% of the rectum volume (p = 0.033) and acute complications ≥grade 2 (p = 0.018) were prognostic factors for long-term complications. The PRV DVH did not correlate with late toxicity. The rectum showed a significant inter-fraction motion during 3D-CRT for prostate cancer. PRV dose correlated with acute gastrointestinal complications and may be a useful tool to predict and reduce their occurrence.