The perineal field in the external irradiation of cancer of the prostate: a modified Regato technique. First Annual del Regato Distinguished Lecture.
(1) 50 consecutive patients with cancer of the prostate, stages A2 through C2 received external irradiation. The whole pelvis was treated using 4-MV photons, and a prostate boost was given through the perineum using a cesium-137 teletherapy unit. (2) The treatment technique was easily duplicated daily and was well tolerated. There were no grade 2, 3 or 4 complications. (3) Local control was excellent: 96% of all cases. (4) Disease-free survival was high. (5) Potency was maintained in the majority of this elderly population. Considering that American males have an increasing longevity and thus a greater likelihood of developing cancer of the prostate, external-beam radiation therapy should be utilized in the future even more so than today. We must continue to refine radiation therapy techniques in order to further increase disease-free survival and reduce radiation morbidity.
St. Mary's Hospital and Medical Center, Radiation Oncology Department, San Francisco, Calif.
J M
JM
Vaeth
R H
RH
Foxlee
M L
ML
Meurk
P A
PA
Vaeth
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010502:Perineum; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome