The effect of prior transurethral resection of the prostate on post radiation urethral strictures and bladder neck contractures.
Patients treated for prostate cancer from 1975-1982 were reviewed to assess if pre-irradiation transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) predisposed to the formation of post treatment urethral strictures or bladder neck contractures. A total of 368 patients were treated with external beam irradiation delivered by a linear accelerator or 125I interstitial implants. Of the 253 patients treated by external beam, 138 patients had a history of at least one TURP before treatment. Implants were performed in 115 patients and 57 had a history of TURP before treatment. A total of 40 patients from both groups developed post treatment complications of urethral strictures or bladder neck contractures. Three patients developed both complications. An analysis of the 40 patients revealed that 29 (72.5%) patients had a TURP performed within a median time of 33 days prior to their initiation of radiation therapy. Of 195 patients in the prior TURP group, 29 (15%) developed one or both complications. Only 11 (6%) of the 173 patients in the non-TURP group developed one or both complications. This comparison was statistically significant with a p value of .025. Various factors analyzed including the treatment regimen, histologic grade, stage of disease, and volume of prostatic tissue removed at surgery did not show any positive correlation. Multiple TURP's were evaluated for greater distribution to the incidence of post treatment complications. The prior TURP group of 195 patients contained 60 with a history of at least two TURPs before radiation therapy. Eleven (18.3%) developed one or both complications. Of the 135 patients in the single TURP group, 18 (13.3%) developed complications. This was not statistically significant. Therefore, we concluded that the initial TURP was its mechanical description of mucosa and resultant scarring is a predisposing risk for development of urethral strictures or bladder neck contractures. Review of the literature concerning time sequence for healing of the urethra shows 4-6 weeks to be appropriate interval between surgery and radiation.
D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003286:Contracture / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000379:methods; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D014525:Urethral Stricture / Q000209:etiology*; D001743:Urinary Bladder