title: [Urethral stricture rate after prostate cancer radiotherapy : Five-year data of a certified prostate cancer center].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A urethral stricture is a scar of the urethral epithelium which can cause obstructive voiding dysfunction with consequential damage of the upper urinary tract. Almost 45% of all strictures are iatrogenic; they develop in 2-9% of patients after radical prostatectomy, but can also occur after prostate cancer radiotherapy. This study provides 5‑year data of a certified prostate cancer center (PKZ) in terms of urethral strictures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 01/2008 and 12/2012 a total of 519 men were irradiated for prostate cancer (LDR and HDR brachytherapy as well as external beam radiation). The entire cohort was followed-up prospectively according to a standardized protocol (by type of irradiation). Short segment urethral strictures were treated by urethrotomy, recurrent and long segment stenosis with buccal mucosa urethroplasty.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 18 of 519 (3.4%) patients developed a urethral stricture post-therapeutically, which recurred in 66% of cases after the first operative treatment. The largest risk for developing a urethral stricture is attributed to the HDR brachytherapy (8.9%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Urethral strictures after prostate cancer radiotherapy should be diagnosed and treated in time for long-term preservation of renal function. The rate of radiogenic urethral strictures (3.4%) is equivalent to those after radical prostatectomy. Due to a high rate of recurrences, urethrotomy has a limited importance after irradiation.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Urologie und Kinderurologie, St.-Antonius Hospital, Akademisches Lehrkrankenhaus der RWTH Aachen, Dechant-Deckers-Straße 8, 52249, Eschweiler, Deutschland. jennifer.kranz@sah-eschweiler.de.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kranz
authors.affiliation: Eschweiler (Med 360 Grad Gruppe), Strahlentherapie 360 Grad, Eschweiler, Deutschland.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maurer
authors.affiliation: Eschweiler (Med 360 Grad Gruppe), Strahlentherapie 360 Grad, Eschweiler, Deutschland.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Maurer
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Urologie und Kinderurologie, St.-Antonius Hospital, Akademisches Lehrkrankenhaus der RWTH Aachen, Dechant-Deckers-Straße 8, 52249, Eschweiler, Deutschland.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Deserno
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Urologie und Kinderurologie, St.-Antonius Hospital, Akademisches Lehrkrankenhaus der RWTH Aachen, Dechant-Deckers-Straße 8, 52249, Eschweiler, Deutschland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schulte
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Urologie und Kinderurologie, St.-Antonius Hospital, Akademisches Lehrkrankenhaus der RWTH Aachen, Dechant-Deckers-Straße 8, 52249, Eschweiler, Deutschland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Steffens
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015984:Causality; D015897:Comorbidity; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014525:Urethral Stricture / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology
keywords: Brachytherapy; Prostate Cancer; Radiotherapy; Urethra; Urethral stricture