title: Conformal 3D planned radiotherapy for pelvic lymphoceles following surgery for urological cancer: A case study.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the outcome and toxicity of 3D conformal radiotherapy (RT) for persistent lymphoceles following surgery for urological cancer. A total of 6 patients with bladder (n=1) and prostate cancer (n=5), with persistent lymphoceles following surgery for a primary tumor were treated with total doses of 10-12 Gy (1 Gy single dose) after computed tomography (CT) based 3D planning in order to suspend secretion. No acute or chronic toxicities were observed. In 5 patients, secretion of lymph fluid resolved after RT and in 1 patient RT had no effect. After a mean follow-up of 21 months (range, 5-47 months), no patient suffered from any symptoms concerning his former lymphoceles. This is the first analysis, to the best of our knowledge, to evaluate a homogenous patient collective of urological cancer patients with persistent lymphoceles after surgery for the initial tumor. RT to lymphoceles in urological cancer patient is effective, very well-tolerated and should be offered to patients with persistent secretion following drainage.
authors.affiliation: Private Practice of Radiation Oncology, D-30161 Hannover, Germany; Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Janssen
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Lukas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Käsmann
authors.affiliation: Private Practice of Radiation Oncology, D-30161 Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cegla
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rades
keywords: postoperative lymphoceles; radiotherapy; urological cancer