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The effect of radiotherapy on urethral obstruction from carcinoma of the prostate
Author(s) -
Wells P.,
Hoskin P.J.,
Towler J.,
Saunders M.I.,
Dische S.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
british journal of urology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 0007-1331
DOI - 10.1046/j.1464-410x.1996.19416.x
Subject(s) - medicine , radiation therapy , prostatectomy , urology , prostate , stage (stratigraphy) , catheter , prostate cancer , carcinoma , urinary retention , surgery , neck of urinary bladder , urinary bladder , cancer , paleontology , biology
Objective To assess the impact of radiotherapy on the relief of complete bladder outlet obstruction requiring catheterization secondary to prostatic carcinoma. Patients and methods From a consecutive series of 151 patients treated with radiotherapy for localized carcinoma of the prostate, 19 (12.6%; median age 72 years, range 59–83) who had an indwelling catheter in situ at the time of irradiation because of urinary retention, were analysed retrospectively and grouped according to the stage and grade of tumour and the irradiation dose delivered. Results The catheter was removed following radiotherapy in all but two patients, who both had stage 4 tumours, and normal urinary function was restored. The grade and stage of tumour did not influence the duration of catheterization. The median time from completion of radiotherapy to catheter removal was 10 weeks (range 0–46). Recatheterization was required in two patients at 3 and 64 months after radiotherapy and three patients, including these two, required transurethral prostatectomy (TURP) to relieve outlet obstruction. Conclusion Prostatic radiotherapy is effective in relieving bladder neck obstruction caused by prostate cancer. Most patients will achieve normal urinary function without requiring TURP after treatment.