Assessment of Rectal Radiation Exposure During Radiation Treatment of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancer worldwide. A number of treatment methods for prostate cancer are known; one is external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). However, due to the anatomical location of the prostate, care must be taken during radiotherapy treatment to protect the organs at risk. We present findings of the dose load of the rectum as a risk organ during radiotherapy for patients with intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer. Furthermore, we also present an analysis of the effectiveness of the rectal preparation protocols prescribed to patients. This study was performed using retrospective document analysis. 186 Cone-beam computer tomography (CBCT) images of 14 prostate cancer patients were analysed. We found that the diet used during the treatment did not prove successful, as even patients who cooperated well showed large variation in ct scans. Consequently, we recommend that patients start a diet a few days before the planning computer tomography (CT) scan. Alternatively, meals can be provided in the hospital or delivered to the patient's home. In addition, probiotics may be necessary because of the intestinal gas that develops during the treatment.