title: Bladder and rectal toxicity of BeamCath application in radiotherapy of prostate cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patient-reported toxicity in two radiotherapy regimens for early stage prostate cancer was investigated. In 2003, the Swedish BeamCath technique was adapted for Northern Norway.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety men underwent radiotherapy for early-stage prostate cancer in February 2002 to March 2005. They were invited to participate in a telephone interview employing a questionnaire guide focusing on bladder, intestinal and sexual function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty patients responded, which represents 89% of all patients. The treatment group (23 patients) had received 76 Gy with the BeamCath technique and the control group (57 patients) received 70 Gy employing a conformal technique. The BeamCath technique was associated with a lower median rectal (p=0.004; 50.6 Gy versus 56.2 Gy) and bladder dose (p=0.017; 48.5 Gy versus 61.5 Gy). There were no differences in scores on masculinity and sexual function. In conclusion, the BeamCath technique did not increase rectal or bladder toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Section of Radiotherapy, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway. solveig.hanssen@unn.no
authors.forename: Solveig
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hanssen
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Norum
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D012007:Rectum / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000528:radiation effects*; D001745:Urinary Bladder Diseases / Q000209:etiology