Palliative radiation therapy for localized prostate symptoms in hormone refractory prostate cancer

Hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPCa) can cause debilitating local pelvic symptoms including urinary obstruction, pelvic pain, haematuria and obstructive rectal symptoms. High-dose palliative radiation therapy (RT) is used in many centres to relieve these symptoms despite limited published evidence for its efficacy. This study aimed to assess if RT provides effective and durable palliation for local prostate symptoms in HRPCa. Thirty-five HRPCa patients received RT to the prostate for local symptoms between November 2002 and March 2006. The median dose was 60 Gy in 30 fractions (range 30-70 Gy). Response around a 6-month time point was scored as complete resolution, partial resolution, no change or local progression. Time to progression (defined as new or recurrent symptoms) or persistence of symptoms was recorded. Factors influencing outcome, such as dose, type and number of symptoms and previous transurethral resection, were examined. Twenty-one (60%) patients had a complete (n = 3) or partial improvement (n = 18) in symptoms. All three complete responders had haematuria as their only symptom. In the eight (23%) patients with local progression, half progressed during treatment and all had done so within 3 months. This series represents a bigger cohort than any reported in published works examining this issue. It suggests that radiation is effective in palliating the local pelvic symptoms in HRPCa.