Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38322778›Full record

ArticleTechnical innovations & patient support in radiation oncology2024

Use of rectal balloon spacer in patients with localized prostate cancer receiving external beam radiotherapy.

Paulo Costa, Joana Vale, Graça Fonseca, Adelina Costa, Michael Kos

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Technical innovations & patient support in radiation oncology, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Paulo CostaCUF Porto Instituto, Rua Fonte das Sete Bicas, 170 - Piso -1 - 4460-188 SENHORA DA HORA, Porto Portugal.
Joana ValeCUF Porto Instituto, Rua Fonte das Sete Bicas, 170 - Piso -1 - 4460-188 SENHORA DA HORA, Porto Portugal.
Graça FonsecaCUF Porto Instituto, Rua Fonte das Sete Bicas, 170 - Piso -1 - 4460-188 SENHORA DA HORA, Porto Portugal.
Adelina CostaCUF Porto Instituto, Rua Fonte das Sete Bicas, 170 - Piso -1 - 4460-188 SENHORA DA HORA, Porto Portugal.
Michael KosBrachytherapy Radiation Specialists Summit Cancer, 6506 Regal Ct., Reno, NV 99223, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of the balloon spacer when used to reduce the radiation dose delivered to the rectum in prostate cancer patients undergoing external beam radiotherapy. Method: A single center retrospective analysis including 75 PC patients with localized T1-T3a disease who received balloon spacer followed by EBRT. Pre- and post-implantation computed tomography (CT) scans were utilized for treatment planning for standard EBRT (78-81 Gy in 1.8-2 Gy fractions). Rectal dosimetry was assessed using DVHs, and toxicities were graded with CTCAE v.4. Results: A median (IQR) prostate-rectum separation resulted in 1.6 cm (1.4-2.0) post balloon spacer implantation. Overall, 90.6 % (68/75) of patients had a clinically significant 25 % relative reduction in the rectal with a median relative reduction of 91.8 % (71.2-98.6 %) at rV70. Three (4.0 %) patients reported mild procedural adverse events, anal discomfort and dysuria. Within 90 days post-implantation, five patients (6.67 %) and 1 patient (1.33 %) reported grade 1 and grade 2 rectal toxicities (anal pain, constipation, diarrhea and hemorrhoids). Genitourinary (GU) grade 1 toxicity was reported in 37 patients (49.33 %), with only one patient (1.33 %) experiencing grade 2 GU toxicity. No grade ≥ 3 toxicity was reported. Conclusion: Balloon spacer implantation effectively increased prostate-rectum separation and associated with dosimetric gains EBRT for PC stage T1-T3a. Further controlled studies are required to ascertain whether this spacer allows for radiotherapy dose escalation and minimizes gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity.

Indexed as

Balloon spacerOrgan at riskPerirectal spacerProstate cancerRadiation therapy

Identifiers

PMID38322778
PMCPMC10846399

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.