Persistently better treatment planning results of intensity-modulated (IMRT) over conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) in prostate cancer patients with significant variation of clinical target volume and/or organs-at-risk

PURPOSE: To compare the dose coverage of planning and clinical target volume (PTV, CTV), and organs-at-risk (OAR) between intensity-modulated (3D-IMRT) and conventional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) before and after internal organ variation in prostate cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We selected 10 patients with clinically significant interfraction volume changes. Patients were treated with 3D-IMRT to 80 Gy (minimum PTV dose of 76 Gy, excluding rectum). Fictitious, equivalent 3D-CRT plans (80 Gy at isocenter, with 95% isodose (76 Gy) coverage of PTV, with rectal blocking above 76 Gy) were generated using the same planning CT data set ("CT planning"). The plans were then also applied to a verification CT scan ("CT verify") obtained at a different moment. PTV, CTV, and OAR dose coverage were compared using non-parametric tests statistics for V95, V90 (% of the volume receiving 95 or 90% of the dose) and D50 (dose to 50% of the volume). RESULTS: Mean V95 of the PTV for "CT planning" was 94.3% (range, 88-99) vs 89.1% (range, 84-94.5) for 3D-IMRT and 3D-CRT (p=0.005), respectively. Mean V95 of the CTV for "CT verify" was 97% for both 3D-IMRT and 3D-CRT. Mean D50 of the rectum for "CT planning" was 26.8 Gy (range, 22-35) vs 43.5 Gy (range, 33.5-50.5) for 3D-IMRT and 3D-CRT (p=0.0002), respectively. For "CT verify", this D50 was 31.1 Gy (range, 16.5-44) vs 44.2 Gy (range, 34-55) for 3D-IMRT and 3D-CRT (p=0.006), respectively. V95 of the rectum was 0% for both plans for "CT planning", and 2.3% (3D-IMRT) vs 2.1% (3D-CRT) for "CT verify" (p=non-sig.). CONCLUSION: Dose coverage of the PTV and OAR was better with 3D-IMRT for each patient and remained so after internal volume changes.     

前列腺癌三维适形和调强放疗的初步结果

目的 分析三维适形放疗（3DCRT）和调强放疗（IMRT）前列腺癌的初步疗效和早晚期副反应.方法 36例无远处转移的前列腺癌接受了3DCRT和IMRT,其中35例同时接受内分泌治疗.23例临床靶区包括前列腺或前列腺加精囊,13例先接受盆腔照射然后包括前列腺和精囊.临床靶区的中位剂量为76.0 Gy（52.5～83.0Gy）,盆腔预防性照射中位剂量为45.0Gy（40～50Gy）.结果 3、5年总生存率分别为91%、84%.3、5年癌症相关生存率均为91%.全组早期胃肠道反应≤2级35例,3级1例,无4级反应;早期泌尿系统副反应≤2级34例,3级2例,无4级反应.全组分别有4例1级和3例2级晚期胃肠道反应,无≥3级晚期胃肠道反应;晚期泌尿系统反应发生率低,6例1级,2级1例,3级1例.结论 应用三维适形放疗和调强放疗技术治疗前列腺癌,高剂量放疗是安全的,早期和晚期副反应可接受,未发现严重晚期副反应.     

Sexual function after three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for prostate cancer: results from a dose-escalation trial

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to provide information about sexual function (SF) after three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) for prostate cancer while taking important factors into account that influence SF. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between June 1997 and February 2003, a total of 268 patients from a randomized dose-escalation trial comparing 68 Gy and 78 Gy agreed to participate in an additional part of the trial that evaluated SF. RESULTS: At baseline 28% of patients had erectile dysfunction (ED). After 1 year, 27% of the pretreatment potent patients had developed ED. After 2 years this percentage had increased to 36%. After 3 years it almost stabilized at 38%. Satisfaction with sexual life was significantly correlated with ED. After 2 years one third of the pre-treatment potent patients still had considerable to very much sexual desire and found sex (very) important. No significant differences were found between the two dose-arms. Potency aids were used on a regular base by 14% of the patients. CONCLUSION: By taking adjuvant hormonal therapy (HT), HT during follow-up and potency aids into account, we found a lower percentage of ED after 3D-CRT than reported in previous prospective studies. A large group of patients still had sexual desire, considered sex important and 14% used potency aids after 3D-CRT.     

Current role of spacers for prostate cancer radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is an established curative treatment method for prostate cancer. Optimal tumor control rates can only be achieved with high local doses, associated with a considerable risk of rectal toxicity. Apart from already widely adapted technical advances, as intensity-modulated radiation therapy, the application of spacers placed between the prostate and rectum has been increasingly used in the last years. Biodegradable spacers, including hydrogel, hyaluronic acid, collagen or an implantable balloon, can be injected or inserted in a short procedure under transrectal ultrasound guidance via a transperineal approach. A distance of about 1.0-1.5 cm is usually achieved between the rectum and prostate, excluding the rectal wall from the high isodoses. Several studies have shown well tolerated injection procedures and treatments. Apart from considerable reduction of rectal irradiation, a prospective randomized trial demonstrated a reduction of rectal toxicity after hydrogel injection in men undergoing prostate image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy. The results are encouraging for continuing evaluation in dose escalation, hypofractionation, stereotactic radiotherapy or re-irradiation trials in the future.     

62例前列腺癌三维适形或调强放疗的临床研究

目的 分析前列腺癌适形调强放射治疗的临床疗效、副反应,分析前列腺癌特异性抗原(PSA)的变化水平和意义.方法 62例前列腺痛患者,60例采用调强放疗,2例采用三维适形放疗.56例放疗前接受内分泌治疗.前列腺+精囊95%计划靶体积的中位处方剂量为78 Gy,盆腔的为48 Gy.放疗前、后测量血液中PSA水平,观察PSA最低点值与预后关系.观察正常组织早、晚期副反应.结果 中位随访时间15.4个月.全组3年无远处转移生存率、无生化复发生存率、总生存率和肿瘤特异生存率分别为77%、87%、90%和92%,5年无远处转移生存率、无生化复发生存率和总生存率分别为55%、69%和83%.放疗后PSA最低点≤2 ng/ml与>2 ng/ml的3年总生存率和无远处转移生存率分别为94%、88%%与56%、11%(χ~2=16.39,P<0.01;χ~2=28.87,P<0.01).1、2级早期泌尿系统副反应发生率分别为32%、0%,1、2级早期直肠副反应发生率分别为19%、3%,1、2级嗍泌尿系统副反应发生率分别为10%、0%,1、2级晚期直肠副反应发生率分别为5%、3%.结论 前列腺癌适形调强放疗疗效好,早、晚期副反应小;放疗后PSA监测利于判断肿瘤预后.     

直肠癌五野调强放疗与传统适形放疗剂量学研究

目的：研究五野调强技术（ＩＭＲＴ）与三维适形（３ＤＣＲＴ）技术治疗直肠癌肿瘤靶区和危及器官照射剂量的区别。方法：回顾性分析１５例直肠癌患者的放疗资料,其中７例为术前放疗,８例为术后放疗。在每位患者的模拟定位ＣＴ上分别勾画肿瘤靶区及小肠、膀胱、股骨头等危及器官（ＯＡＲ）,并分别进行３ＤＣＲＴ和ＩＭＲＴ计划设计,要求处方剂量至少覆盖９５％的计划靶体积。应用适形指数（ＣＩ）和均匀指数（ＨＩ）评价肿瘤靶区剂量的分布,应用Ｄｘ％（接受高量照射的ｘ％的体积所受到的最低剂量）和平均剂量评价ＯＡＲ受照射剂量。两个计划剂量分布的差别采用配对ｔ检验比较。结果：在ＩＭＲＴ和３ＤＣＲＴ计划中,ＣＩ分别为０.９４和０.８７（Ｐ＝０.０００）;ＨＩ分别为１.１３和１.１７（P＝０.００１）;小肠Ｄ３０％分别为１９.６７Ｇｙ和２５.２０Ｇｙ,Ｄ５０％分别为１５.１３Ｇｙ和２２.２０Ｇｙ,平均剂量分别为１８.８１Ｇｙ和２２.８９Ｇｙ（Ｐ均为０.０００）;膀胱的Ｄ３０％分别为３４.２０Ｇｙ和４４.６７Ｇｙ,Ｄ５０％分别为２４.８０Ｇｙ和３５.０７Ｇｙ,平均剂量分别为２８.７０Ｇｙ和３５.６８Ｇｙ（Ｐ均为０.０００）;股骨头Ｄ５％分别为４０.６０Ｇｙ和４０.４７Ｇｙ(P＝０.９３６）,平均剂量分别为３０.１４Ｇｙ和２５.５７Ｇｙ（Ｐ＝０.００１）。结论：ＩＭＲＴ在靶区剂量均匀性和适形度方面均优于３ＤＣＲＴ计划,对正常组织的保护也存在明显的优势。     

宫颈癌术后快速旋转调强放疗和三维适形放疗计划的对比研究

目的 探讨宫颈癌术后快速旋转调强放疗（RapidArc）和三维适形放疗（3D-CRT）计划靶区及其周围危及器官（OAR）受照剂量的差异。方法 随机选择10 例宫颈癌术后患者,进行CT 扫描、靶区（PTV）和OAR的勾画,处方剂量50Gy。分别进行RapidArc和3D-CRT计划设计,计算并比较两种计划的PTV剂量均匀度指数（HI）、适形度指数（CI）、最大受照剂量（PTV Dmax）、最小受照剂量（PTV Dmin）、平均受照剂量（PTV Dmean）和OAR受照体积。结果 RapidArc计划的CI及PTV Dmean均优于3D-CRT计划;RapidArc计划对OAR（膀胱V50,直肠V40、V50,左、右股骨头V20）的保护优于3D-CRT计划（P＜0.05）。两种计划的PTV Dmax、PTV Dmin、HI和OAR受照体积（小肠V10、V20、V30、V40、V50,直肠V10、V20、V30, 膀胱V10、V20、V30、V40,左、右股骨头V10、V30、V40、V50）的差异均无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。结论 宫颈癌术后辅助放疗中,RapidArc计划在靶区CI和PTV Dmean方面均优于3D-CRT,同时RapidArc计划在正常组织保护上也有一定的优势。     

Comparison of inverse-planned three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer

PURPOSE: Lungs are the major dose-limiting organ during radiotherapy (RT) for non-small-cell lung cancer owing to the development of pneumonitis. This study compared intensity-modulated RT (IMRT) with three-dimensional conformal RT (3D-CRT) in reducing the dose to the lungs. METHODS: Ten patients with localized non-small-cell lung cancer underwent computed tomography (CT). The planning target volume (PTV) was defined and the organs at risk were outlined. An inverse-planning program, AutoPlan, was used to design the beam angle-optimized six-field noncoplanar 3D-CRT plans. Each 3D-CRT plan was compared with a series of five IMRT plans per patient. The IMRT plans were created using a commercial algorithm and consisted of a series of three, five, seven, and nine equidistant coplanar field arrangements and one six-field noncoplanar plan. The planning objectives were to minimize the lung dose while maintaining the dose to the PTV. The percentage of lung volume receiving >20 Gy (V20) and the percentage of the PTV covered by the 90% isodose (PTV90) were the primary endpoints. The PTV90/V20 ratio was used as the parameter accounting for both the reduction in lung volume treated and the PTV coverage. RESULTS: All IMRT plans, except for the three-field coplanar plans, improved the PTV90/V20 ratio significantly compared with the optimized 3D-CRT plan. Nine coplanar IMRT beams were significantly better than five or seven coplanar IMRT beams, with an improved PTV90/V20 ratio. CONCLUSION: The results of our study have shown that IMRT can reduce the dose to the lungs compared with 3D-CRT by improving the conformity of the plan.     

前列腺癌三维放疗疗效的Meta分析

目的 Meta分析三维放疗对前列腺癌疗效。方法 在2名独立研究员制定相关文献的检索策略以及纳入、剔除标准后,通过检索PubMed、荷兰医学文献数据库、中国知网、万方数据库中有关三维放疗前列腺癌有关研究。检索时间为开始建库至2017年2月,限定语种为英文与中文。采用RevMan 5.3软件对相关文献资料进行数据处理与分析。结果 根据严格的检索策略及纳入、排除标准共纳入15篇相关临床研究,均为回顾性队列研究。相关患者4608例,其中IMRT组2229例,3DCRT组2379例。IMRT与3DCRT组在泌尿系早晚期损伤上相近(OR=0.77,95%CI为0.43~1.40,P=0.390;OR=0.75,95%CI为0.55~1.04,P=0.080);肠道早、晚期损伤IMRT比3DCRT组少(OR=0.47,95%CI为0.27~0.82,P=0.008;OR=0.52,95%CI为0.35~0.78,P=0.001);无生化复发生存率IMRT比3DCRT组高(OR=1.87,95%CI:1.51~2.32,P=0.000)。结论 IMRT相比3DCRT在治疗前列腺癌过程中对肠道损伤的保护作用最为明显,同时无生化复发生存率也相对较高。     

Late rectal toxicity: dose-volume effects of conformal radiotherapy for prostate cancer

: To identify dosimetric, anatomic, and clinical factors that correlate with late rectal toxicity after three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) for prostate cancer.

: We retrospectively analyzed the dose-volume histograms and clinical records of 163 Stage T1b-T3c prostate cancer patients treated between 1992 and 1999 with 3D-CRT, to a total isocenter dose of 74–78 Gy at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. The median follow-up was 62 months (range 24–102). All late rectal complications were scored using modified Radiation Therapy Oncology Group and Late Effects Normal Tissue Task Force criteria. The 6-year toxicity rate was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis and the log-rank test. A univariate proportional hazards regression model was used to test the correlation between Grade 2 or higher toxicity and the dosimetric, anatomic, and clinical factors. In a multivariate regression model, clinical factors were added to the dosimetric and anatomic variables to determine whether they significantly altered the risk of developing late toxicity.

: At 6 years, the rate of developing Grade 2 or higher late rectal toxicity was 25%. A significant volume effect was observed at rectal doses of 60, 70, 75.6, and 78 Gy, and the risk of developing rectal complications increased exponentially as greater volumes were irradiated. Although the percentage of rectal volume treated correlated significantly with the incidence of rectal complications at all dose levels (p <0.0001 for all comparisons), the absolute rectal volume appeared to be a factor only at the higher doses of 70, 75.6, and 78 Gy (p = 0.0514, 0.0016, and 0.0021, respectively). The following variables also correlated with toxicity on the univariate analysis: maximal dose to the clinical target volume, maximal dose to rectum, maximal dose to the rectum as a percentage of the prescribed dose, and maximal dose delivered to 10 cm³ of the rectum. Of the clinical variables tested, only a history of hemorrhoids correlated with rectal toxicity (p = 0.003). Multivariate analysis showed that the addition of hemorrhoids increased the risk of toxicity for each dosimetric variable found to be significant on univariate analysis (p <0.05 for all comparisons).

: Dose-volume histogram analyses clearly indicated a volume effect on the probability of developing late rectal complications. Therefore, dose escalation may be safely achieved by adherence to dose-volume histogram constraints during treatment planning and organ localization at the time of treatment to ensure consistent patient setup.     

食管癌适形与调强放疗技术剂量参数比较的Meta分析

目的:探讨食管癌三维适形放疗(three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy,3D-CRT)与调强放疗(intensity modulated radiotherapy,IMRT)技术间的剂量参数差异,为临床提供有价值的循证医学证据.方法:计算机检索Cochrane、PubMed、Embase及中国知网(CNKI)、万方数据库中所有比较食管癌三维适形放疗及调强放疗的文章,应用RevMan 5.2软件对所有满足条件的数据进行Meta分析.结果:17篇文献纳入本次研究.食管癌调强放疗与适形放疗比,能显著降低双肺的K0(MD=4.63,95％ CI:1.69 ～ 7.56,P＜0.01)及K0(MD =4.21,95％CI:1.48 ～6.94,P＜0.01),且有更好的适形指数(MD=-0.14,95％CI:-0.2 ～-0.07,P＜0.01)及均匀指数(MD =0.04,95％CI:-0.01 ～0.07,P＜0.01);双肺V5、V10、心脏V40及脊髓最大受量Dmax两种放疗技术间无统计学差异.结论:食管癌IMRT与3D-CRT比较能明显降低肺的V20及K30,具有更好的靶区适形度.     

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy improves lymph node coverage and dose to critical structures compared with three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy in clinically localized prostate cancer

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to quantify gains in lymph node coverage and critical structure dose reduction for whole-pelvis (WP) and extended-field (EF) radiotherapy in prostate cancer using intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) compared with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) for the first treatment phase of 45 Gy in the concurrent treatment of lymph nodes and prostate. METHODS AND MATERIALS: From January to August 2005, 35 patients with localized prostate cancer were treated with pelvic IMRT; 7 had nodes defined up to L5-S1 (Group 1), and 28 had nodes defined above L5-S1 (Group 2). Each patient had 2 plans retrospectively generated: 1 WP 3DCRT plan using bony landmarks, and 1 EF 3DCRT plan to cover the vascular defined volumes. Dose-volume histograms for the lymph nodes, rectum, bladder, small bowel, and penile bulb were compared by group. RESULTS: For Group 1, WP 3DCRT missed 25% of pelvic nodes with the prescribed dose 45 Gy and missed 18% with the 95% prescribed dose 42.75 Gy, whereas WP IMRT achieved V(45 Gy) = 98% and V(42.75 Gy) = 100%. Compared with WP 3DCRT, IMRT reduced bladder V(45 Gy) by 78%, rectum V(45 Gy) by 48%, and small bowel V(45 Gy) by 232 cm3. EF 3DCRT achieved 95% coverage of nodes for all patients at high cost to critical structures. For Group 2, IMRT decreased bladder V(45 Gy) by 90%, rectum V(45 Gy) by 54% and small bowel V(45 Gy) by 455 cm3 compared with EF 3DCRT. CONCLUSION: In this study WP 3DCRT missed a significant percentage of pelvic nodes. Although EF 3DCRT achieved 95% pelvic nodal coverage, it increased critical structure doses. IMRT improved pelvic nodal coverage while decreasing dose to bladder, rectum, small bowel, and penile bulb. For patients with extended node involvement, IMRT especially decreases small bowel dose.     

Influence of organ motion on conformal vs. intensity-modulated pelvic radiotherapy for prostate cancer

PURPOSE: To compare an intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) planning approach for prostate pelvic RT with a conformal RT (CRT) approach taking into account the influence of organ-at-risk (OAR) motion. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 20 male patients, each with one planning computed tomography scan and five to eight treatment computed tomography scans, were used for simulation of IMRT and CRT for delivery of a prescribed dose of 50 Gy to the prostate, seminal vesicles, and pelvic lymph nodes. Planning was done in Eclipse without correcting for OAR motion. Evaluation was performed using the CRT and IMRT dose matrices and the planning and treatment OAR outlines. The generalized equivalent uniform dose (gEUD) was calculated for 894 OAR volumes using a volume-effect parameter of 4, 12, and 8 for bowel, rectum and bladder, respectively. For the bowel, the gEUD was normalized to a reference volume of 200 cm(3). For each patient and each OAR, an average of the treatment gEUDs (gEUD(treat)) was calculated for CRT and IMRT. The paired t test was used to compare IMRT with CRT and gEUD(treat) with gEUD(plan). RESULTS: The mean gEUD(treat) was reduced from 43 to 40 Gy, 47 to 46 Gy, and 48 to 45 Gy with IMRT for the bowel, rectum, and bladder, respectively (p < 0.001). Differences between the gEUD(plan) and gEUD(treat) were not significant (p > 0.05) for any OAR but was >6% for the bowel in 6 of 20 patients. CONCLUSION: Intensity-modulated RT reduced the bowel, rectum, and bladder gEUDs also under influence of OAR motion. Neither CRT nor IMRT was robust against bowel motion, but IMRT was not less robust than CRT.     

Implementation and utility of a daily ultrasound-based localization system with intensity-modulated radiotherapy for prostate cancer

: To evaluate the clinical feasibility of daily computer-assisted transabdominal ultrasonography for target position verification in the setting of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for prostate cancer.

: Twenty-three patients with clinically localized prostate cancer were treated using a sequential tomotherapy IMRT technique (Peacock) and daily computer-assisted transabdominal ultrasonography (BAT) for target localization. Patients were instructed to maintain a full bladder and were placed in the supine position using triangulation tattoos and a leg immobilizer to minimize pelvic rotation. The BAT ultrasound system is docked to the treatment collimator and electronically imports the CT simulation target contours and isocenter. The system is able to use the machine isocenter as a reference point to overlay the corresponding CT contours onto the ultrasound images captured in the transverse and sagittal planes. A touch screen menu is used to maneuver the CT contours in three dimensions such that they match the ultrasound images. The system then displays the three-dimensional couch shifts required to produce field alignment. Data were prospectively collected to measure the frequency by which useful ultrasound images were obtained, the amount of time required for localization/setup, and the direction/magnitude of the positional adjustments.

: Of the 23 patients, the BAT ultrasound system produced images of sufficient quality to perform the overlay of the CT contours in 19 patients such that positional verification could be reliably performed. Poor image quality was associated with patient inability to maintain a full bladder, large body habitus, or other anatomic constraints. Of the 19 assessable patients, a total of 185 treatment alignments were performed (mean 8.8/patient). For all cases, the average time required for the daily ultrasound imaging and positional adjustments was 11.9 min. After the initial 5 cases, the user experience skills improved such that the time required for image verification/positional adjustments decreased to a mean of 5.6 min. The average right-left, AP, and cranial-caudal adjustment was 2.6 ± 2.1 mm, 4.7 ± 2.7 mm, and 4.2 ± 2.8 mm, respectively. Positional adjustments >10 mm were infrequent and related primarily to misidentification of the target structures on the ultrasound image, patient movement, or improper registration of the triangulation tattoos.

: Daily computer-assisted BAT ultrasound positional verification of the prostate can be successfully performed through the acquisition of high-quality images in most patients with only a modest increase in treatment setup time. Positional data obtained with this system resulted in clinically meaningful adjustments in daily setup for sequential IMRT that would not be otherwise apparent from other verification modalities.     

Setup accuracy of stereoscopic X-ray positioning with automated correction for rotational errors in patients treated with conformal arc radiotherapy for prostate cancer

We evaluated setup accuracy of NovalisBody stereoscopic X-ray positioning with automated correction for rotational errors with the Robotics Tilt Module in patients treated with conformal arc radiotherapy for prostate cancer. The correction of rotational errors was shown to reduce random and systematic errors in all directions. (NovalisBody™ and Robotics Tilt Module™ are products of BrainLAB A.G., Heimstetten, Germany).     

Incidence of late rectal and urinary toxicities after three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer

PURPOSE: To report the incidence and predictors of treatment-related toxicity at 10 years after three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for localized prostate cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between 1988 and 2000, 1571 patients with stages T1-T3 prostate cancer were treated with 3D-CRT/IMRT with doses ranging from 66 to 81 Gy. The median follow-up was 10 years. Posttreatment toxicities were all graded according to the National Cancer Institute's Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. RESULTS: The actuarial likelihood at 10 years for the development of Grade>or=2 GI toxicities was 9%. The use of IMRT significantly reduced the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities compared with patients treated with conventional 3D-CRT (13% to 5%; p<0.001). Among patients who experienced acute symptoms the 10-year incidence of late toxicity was 42%, compared with 9% for those who did not experience acute symptoms (p<0.0001). The 10-year incidence of late Grade>or=2 genitourinary (GU) toxicity was 15%. Patients treated with 81 Gy (IMRT) had a 20% incidence of GU symptoms at 10 years, compared with a 12% for patient treated to lower doses (p=0.01). Among patients who had developed acute symptoms during treatment, the incidence of late toxicity at 10 years was 35%, compared with 12% (p<0.001). The incidence of Grade 3 GI and GU toxicities was 1% and 3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Serious late toxicity was unusual despite the delivery of high radiation dose levels in these patients. Higher doses were associated with increased GI and GU Grade 2 toxicities, but the risk of proctitis was significantly reduced with IMRT. Acute symptoms were a precursor of late toxicities in these patients.