title: Feasibility and radiation induced toxicity regarding the first application of transperineal implementation of biocompatible balloon for high dose radiotherapy in patients with prostate carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the feasibility of the transperineal implementation of biocompatible balloon (Prospace) and the acute toxicity of high dose 3DCRT in patients with localized low risk prostate cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between December 2011 and April 2012, fifteen patients were treated with external 3DCRT consisted of 76-78 Gy in 38-39 daily fractions (2.0 Gy/ fraction). Before 3DCRT, we placed the Prospace though the perineum by a minimally invasive procedure in the intermediate space between the rectum and the prostate. The primary study endpoint was the evaluation of acute toxicity according to the EORTC/RTOG radiation toxicity scale. Erectile function was evaluated with the IIEF-5 questionnaire. Rectosigmoidoscopy was performed at baseline, at the end of 3DCRT and 3 months thereafter in order to assess also the rectal toxicity according to Subjective-RectoSigmoid (S-RS) scale. The evaluation of pain related to Prospace implementation was done with the visual analogue score (VAS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The acute toxicities were as follows: grade I GI toxicity in two patients and for GU toxicity, three patients with grade I of nocturia, four patients with grade I of frequency, two patients with grade I and two patients with grade II of dysouria. The mean score of rectal toxicity according to S-RS score was 1.8(±0.6). The mean VAS score related to Prospace was 1.4(±0.5). Erectile function was unchanged. The Prospace device was found stable in sequential CTs during irradiation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The implementation of PROSPACE was feasible, while the acute radiation toxicity was low and comparable with IMRT techniques.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Radiology, Radiotherapy Unit, ATTIKON University hospital, Xaidari, Greece. vkouloul@ece.ntua.gr
authors.forename: Vassilis
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kouloulias
authors.forename: Theodoros
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kalogeropoulos
authors.forename: Kalliopi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Platoni
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Georgakopoulos
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Matsopoulos
authors.forename: Dimitris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chaldeopoulos
authors.forename: Ivelina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Beli
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pantelakos
authors.forename: Charalambos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Asimakopoulos
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kouvaris
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kelekis
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D000368:Aged; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012007:Rectum / Q000528:radiation effects