Patient tolerance of rectal balloons in conformal radiation treatment of prostate cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate patient tolerance of intrarectal balloons used during conformal prostate irradiation.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis was performed on 3,561 patients who underwent conformal radiation for prostate cancer. Therapy consisted of proton irradiation of the prostate and seminal vesicles and X-ray treatment of the pelvis when warranted. The number of treatments in which the balloon was tolerated was recorded. Results were stratified according to method of irradiation (protons alone vs. combined proton/X-ray) and method of planning (2D vs. 3D planning of X-ray fields in patients undergoing combination treatment).


RESULTS
Of all the patients evaluated, 3,474 (97.6%) tolerated the balloon throughout treatment; 87 (2.4%) declined the balloon for 1 or more treatments and tolerated the balloon for 85.5% of their treatments. Chi-square analysis revealed a significant tolerance advantage in those who received protons alone compared with combination treatment (99.5% vs. 95.7%; p < 0.001). In patients undergoing combination treatment, chi-square analysis did not reveal significant tolerance differences in patients undergoing 3D vs. 2D planning for pelvic X-ray fields (95.74% vs. 95.72%; p = 0.990).


CONCLUSIONS
Intrarectal balloons are well tolerated over a course of conformal prostate irradiation.
Ronson
Brian B
BB
Department of Radiation Medicine, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA.
Yonemoto
Les T
LT
Rossi
Carl J
CJ
Slater
James M
JM
Slater
Jerry D
JD
D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization / Q000295:instrumentation; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D061766:Proton Therapy; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012007:Rectum; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011522:Protons
D011522:Protons