Evaluation of acute toxicity in the treatment of prostate cancer with conformational radiotherapy

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Radiatiotherapy is often associated with a wide range of significant side effects. These side effects are commonly classified as acute or delayed according to when they manifest in relation to treatment. METHODS: This study aimed to evaluate acute toxicity in patients with prostate cancer treated with conformational radiotherapy (3D) in an Oncology Unit in Eastern Minas Gerais. A prospective, observational, cohort study was performed through a non-probabilistic sampling of convenience, totalazing 45 patients. Patients included in the study were followed from the start of treatment to 3 months after external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). RESULTS: Demographic Characteristics - Of the 45 patients included, mean age was 70.6 ± 8.3 (SD) years, and predominantly white (44.0 %). The majority were married (75.6 %). Considering the risk classification, there was a homogeneous distribution between the low (33.3 %), intermediate (31.1 %) and high (35.6 %) levels. The majority of the patients (57.8 %) had a low risk (T1) classification, followed by intermediate risk classification (33.3%) and high risk (8.9 %). In the Gleason score, 44.4 % presented values below 6 (low), 40.0 % intermediate, and 15.5 % high. 62.2 % had a PSA level less than 10 ng.mL-1, 22.2 % had an intermediate level, from 10 to 20 ng.mL-1 and 15.6%, above 20 ng.mL-1. Manifestation of acute toxicity - It was observed that the majority (59.1 %) of the acute effects manifested during the first consultation, prevailing the symptom of urinary frequency (64.1 %). Regarding the symptoms of acute effects most prevalent during the three consultations, we highlight the urinary frequency with 44.0 %, followed by the urinary residue (20.0 %). CONCLUSION: 80.0 % of the patients presented acute effects during radiotherapy, being the urinary frequency the event more frequent (44.0 %), followed by urinary residue (20.0 %). Eighteen patients (40.0 %) presented only one acute effect and 59.1 % of the effects were observed at the first visit.