INTRODUCTION: Recent development of image-guided techniques facilitates the monitoring of organ motion during radiation therapy.
The purposes of this study were to: (1) describe the technique of intravesical fiducial marker placement using Visicoil linear fiducial markers (Core Oncology; Santa Barbara, CA, USA) for treatment planning and delivery of radiation therapy for invasive bladder cancer, and (2) describe the feasibility of this program and initial results.
METHODS: Participants were 10 male patients with a mean age of 74 years (range, 58-87 years). They underwent placement of Visicoil fiducial markers into the bladder wall under endoscopic guidance for the purpose of facilitating treatment planning and delivery for external beam radiotherapy for bladder cancer. We assessed the feasibility of marker placement and stability of the marker using daily on-board imaging during a standard course of therapy. We assessed acute procedure-related complications and related toxicity using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.0.
RESULTS: All 10 patients had successful implantation of Visicoil fiducial markers without procedure-related acute complications. No patient developed acute toxicity related to the procedure or markers. All markers remained stable during radiation therapy using daily on-board imaging.
CONCLUSION: The use of Visicoil fiducial markers for the guidance of radiation therapy for bladder cancer is safe and feasible. The procedure is associated with minimal toxicity. The use of fiducial markers may enhance the accuracy and efficacy of radiotherapy for bladder cancer.
Marisa A Kollmeier, Bernard Bochner
Submitted: December 23, 2010
Accepted for Publication: February 07, 2011
KEYWORDS: Bladder cancer; Fiducial markers; Image-guided radiotherapy; Radiation therapy.
CORRESPONDENCE: Marisa A. Kollmeier, M.D., Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, New York 10021 USA ( ).
CITATION: UroToday Int J. 2011 Feb;4(1):art16
doi: 10.3834/uij.1944-5784.2011.02.16