OBJECTIVE - To retrospectively evaluate external beam reirradiation (re-EBRT) delivered to the prostate/prostatic bed for local recurrence, after radical or adjuvant/salvage radiotherapy (RT).
METHODS - 32 patients received re-EBRT between February 2008 and October 2013. All patients had clinical/radiological local relapse in the prostate or prostatic bed and no distant metastasis. re-EBRT was delivered with selective RT technologies [stereotactic RT including CyberKnife(TM) (Accuray, Sunnyvale, CA); image-guidance and intensity-modulated RT etc.]. Toxicity was evaluated using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group/European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer criteria. Biochemical control was assessed according to the Phoenix definition (NADIR + 2 ng ml(-1)).
RESULTS - Acute urinary toxicity: G0, 24 patients; G1, 6 patients; G2, 2 patients. Acute rectal toxicity: G0, 28 patients; G1, 2 patients; and G2, 1 patient. Late urinary toxicity (evaluated in 30 cases): G0, 23 patients; G1, 6 patients; G2, 1 patient. Late renal toxicity: G0, 25 patients; G1, 5 patients. A mean follow-up of 21.3 months after re-EBRT showed that 13 patients were free of cancer, 3 were alive with biochemical relapse and 12 patients were alive with clinically evident disease. Four patients had died: two of disease progression and two of other causes.
CONCLUSION - re-EBRT using modern technology is a feasible approach for local prostate cancer recurrence offering 2-year tumour control in about half of the patients. Toxicity of re-EBRT is low. Future studies are needed to identify the patients who would benefit most from this treatment.
ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE - Our series, based on experience in one hospital alone, shows that re-EBRT for local relapse of prostate cancer is feasible and offers a 2-year cure in about half of the patients.
Br J Radiol. 2015 Aug;88(1052):20150197. doi: 10.1259/bjr.20150197. Epub 2015 Jun 9.
Zerini D1, Jereczek-Fossa BA1,2, Fodor C1, Bazzani F1,2, Maucieri A1,2, Ronchi S1,2, Ferrario S1,2, Colangione SP1,2, Gerardi MA1,2, Caputo M1,2, Cecconi A1, Gherardi F1, Vavassori A1, Comi S3, Cambria R3, Garibaldi C3, Cattani F3, De Cobelli O2,4, Orecchia R1,2,5.
11 Department of Radiotherapy, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy.
22 Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
33 Department of Medical Physics, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy.
44 Department of Urology, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy.
55 Clinical Division of the National Center of Oncological Hadrontherapy, Pavia, Italy.