ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: In case of pelvic lymph node and seminal vesicle dissection followed by prostate cancer intensity-modulated radiotherapy, the objective of the study was to evaluate the dosimetric benefit of reducing the target volume. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 25 patients with high-risk prostate cancer had surgery first followed by intensity-modulated radiotherapy and androgen deprivation. Four treatment planning were simulated for each patient, based on two CT scans performed before and after surgery. The target volumes were: prostate-seminal vesicles-lymph nodes, prostate-lymph nodes, prostate-seminal vesicles and prostate only. The total dose was 46Gy in the seminal vesicles and lymph nodes, and 80Gy in the prostate. RESULTS: Compared to prostate target volume only, the addition of seminal vesicles and lymph nodes multiplied by a factor of 1.6 and 6.5 the target volume, respectively. Decreasing the target volume from prostate-seminal vesicles-lymph nodes to prostate-seminal vesicles, to prostate only decreased the rectal wall mean dose from 49Gy to 42Gy, to 36Gy, and the risk of late rectal bleeding from 4.4% to 3.2%, to 2.4% (P<0.05), respectively. The bladder wall mean dose decreased from 51Gy to 40Gy, to 35Gy (P<0,05), respectively. Not irradiating the lymph nodes decreased the absolute risk of diarrhea by 11%. CONCLUSION: Lymph node and seminal vesicle dissection before prostate cancer intensity-modulated radiotherapy allows decreasing moderately the risk of digestive toxicity.