Acute side effects after dose-escalation treatment of prostate cancer using the new urethral catheter BeamCath((R)) technique

Acute side effects after dose-escalated radiotherapy for Prostate cancer wi th different treatment techniques were evaluated, using a daily diary recor ded by the patients. Dose escalation was performed using the urethral cathe ter BearnCath((R)) technique. Side effects were evaluated in 267 patients b y means of a daily diary during the treatment and at 3-months' follow-up. T he patients' evaluations were compared with those of patients treated with conventional or conformal techniques. Looser stools were reported in tile c onventional (placebo) and 76 Gy groups at 3-months' follow-up compared with at week 1. No other obvious increase in rectal or bladder morbidity was se en in the 76 Gy group. The catheter did not increase the urinary frequency in comparison to the other groups. Tile reported urgency and starting probl ems at the beginning of treatment seemed to improve in all groups at 3-mont hs' follow-up, External beam radiotherapy dose escalation using the BeamCat h((R)) technique did not result in a dose-dependent increase in acute side effects.