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.
Written by:
McNair HA, Wedlake L, Lips IM, Andreyev J, Van Vulpen M, Dearnaley D. Are you the author?
Radiotherapy Department, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, United Kingdom; Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, United Kingdom; Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Gastroenterology Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, United Kingdom; Academic Urology Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, United Kingdom.
Reference: Pract Radiat Oncol. 2014;4(6):437-447.
doi: 10.1016/j.prro.2014.06.005
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25407867