Preliminary exploration of clinical factors affecting acute toxicity and quality of life after carbon ion therapy for prostate cancer

Yafang Zhang,
Ping Li,
Qi Yu,
Shuang Wu,
Xue Chen,
Qing ZhangEmail author and
Shen FuEmail author

Radiation Oncology201914:94

https://doi.org/10.1186/s13014-019-1303-3

Received: 23 February 2019
Accepted: 22 May 2019
Published: 4 June 2019

Abstract

Purpose

To assess toxicity and quality-of-life (QOL) after carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) at the Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center (SPHIC) and identify clinical factors that correlate with urinary, bowel and sexual function.

Methods

Sixty-four patients with localized prostate cancer admitted from July 2015 to January 2018 underwent CIRT. At baseline and 5 time-points after radiotherapy, we assessed patients’ QOL using the 26-item edition of the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index-Composite (EPIC-26) Chinese version. Logistic regression was performed to identify clinical factors associated with acute genitourinary (GU) toxicity and relative QOL.

Results

By the end of CIRT, urinary irritation/obstruction temporarily declined (− 7.92 ± 1.76, p < .001). For urinary incontinence, bowel and sexual QOL, the scores remained stable at 2-year follow-up. The occurrences of acute Grade 1 and 2 GU toxicity were 20.3 and 10.9%, respectively, and of late Grade 1 and 2 GU toxicity were 3.1 and 1.6%, respectively. No acute or late gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity occurred. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) was a risk factor that predicted a decline in urinary related QOL, and age made a difference to bowel-related QOL. For sexual QOL, castration status was a remarkable risk factor. An international prostate symptom score (IPSS) ≥8 increased the risk of Grade 1–2 acute GU toxicity 5.3-fold.

Conclusion

Patients with prostate cancer had favorable QOL after CIRT. IPSS ≥8 was a risk factor to acute GU toxicity, and TURP predicted a decline in urinary QOL. Age was related to bowel QOL, and castration status was associated with sexual QOL.