title: A systematic review: effectiveness of rectal emptying preparation in prostate cancer patients.
abstract: While the importance of a consistent rectal volume during radiation therapy planning and treatment for patients receiving radiation therapy to the prostate is recognized, there is no clear guidance as to the most effective method. This review examines the evidence for the efficacy of rectal preparations. Eighteen papers were found where the primary aim was to investigate a rectal emptying intervention and included 5 different strategies. These included evacuation techniques, dietary interventions, laxatives, and enemas and were either investigated alone or in combination. There is no robust evidence to recommend one rectal emptying strategy over another. Further investigation in adequately powered clinical trials is advised.
authors.affiliation: Radiotherapy Department, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Helen.McNair@rmh.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Helen A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: McNair
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wedlake
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Irene M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Lips
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jervoise
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Andreyev
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Vulpen
authors.affiliation: Academic Urology Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dearnaley
mesh_terms: D004733:Enema / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D054368:Laxatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D012007:Rectum / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D054368:Laxatives