title: When should the seminal vesicles be included in the target volume in prostate radiotherapy?
abstract: External beam radiotherapy to the prostate and seminal vesicles as a radical treatment for prostate cancer can result in a significant dose being delivered to the rectum. This can be reduced if the target volume includes the prostate only. Using a Medline search, published studies are reviewed to show that the risk of seminal vesicle involvement can be accurately predicted using readily available pre-treatment parameters. We recommend when to exclude the seminal vesicles from a target volume, and the proportion of seminal vesicles that should be included in a target volume in higher risk patients.
authors: Department of Clinical Oncology, Christie Hospital, Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4BX, UK. neil.bayman@christie-tr.nwest.nhs.uk
authors: N A
authors: NA
authors: Bayman
authors: J P
authors: JP
authors: Wylie
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal; D012007:Rectum / Q000528:radiation effects; D012306:Risk; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000528:radiation effects*
chemical_list: D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen