Salvage radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy: Long-term results of urinary incontinence, toxicity and treatment outcomes

Comparing the lifespan of virgin artificial urinary sphincters in radiated patients: transcorporal vs. standard placement

PURPOSE

To compare the lifespan of first transcorporal cuff (TC) placement of an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) versus standard placement (SP) in patients with prior radiotherapy (RT) for prostate cancer (PCa).

METHODS

We reviewed first (virgin) AUS placements from two high-volume care centers between 1/2011 and 1/2021, including PCa patients with RT history. AUS lifespan was assessed via the hazard ratio of device explantation and/or revision within a ten-year timeframe for the TC vs. SP approaches. Chi-square, Fisher's exact, and t-tests compared clinicodemographic variables. Kaplan-Meier curve compared TC and SP lifespan.

RESULTS

85/314 men with AUS met inclusion criteria, with 38.8% (33/85) in the TC group and 61.2% (52/85) in the SP group. Median ages were 69.8 (IQR = 65.2-73.6) and 67.1 (61.6-72.9), respectively, p = 0.17. Over a median follow up of 51.9 (15.8-86.1) and 80.4 (28.1-128.3) months for the TC and SP, overall, 12 (36.4%) TC devices were removed (four [12.1%] due to mechanical failures; eight [24.2%] erosions, and two [6.1%] infections) vs. 29 (55.8%) in the SP group (14 [26.9%] mechanical failures; 11 [21.1%] erosions, and five [9.6%] infections). No statistically significant differences were observed between the two approaches, with HR = 0.717, 95% CI 0.37-1.44, p = 0.35. The calculated device survival probabilities for the TC vs. SP at one, five, and 10 years were 78.8% vs. 76.9%, 69.3% vs. 58.7%, and 62.1% vs. 46.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

TC cuff insertion for the first AUS implantation in pre-radiated patients showed to be comparable to SP when it comes to device survival, with comparable complication rates. Current guidance for approach selection is primarily based on patient selection and surgeon preference.

A Comprehensive Review of the Current State of Robot-assisted Laparoscopic Salvage Prostatectomy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Salvage robot assisted radical prostatectomy (sRARP) is performed for patients with biochemical or biopsy proven, localized prostate cancer recurrences after radiation or ablative therapies. Traditionally, sRARP has been avoided by lower volume surgeons due to technical demand and high complication rates. Post-radiation sRARP outcomes studies exist but remain few in number. With increasing use of whole gland and focal ablative therapies, updates on sRARP in this setting are needed. The aim of this narrative review is to provide an overview of recently reviewed studies on the oncologic outcomes, functional outcomes, and complications after post-radiation and post-ablative sRARP. Tips and tricks are provided to guide surgeons who may perform sRARP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a non-systematic literature search of PubMed and MEDLINE for the most relevant articles pertaining to the outlined topics from 2010-2022 without limitation on study design. Only case reports, editorial comments, letters, and manuscripts in non-English languages were excluded. Key Content and Findings: Salvage robotic radical prostatectomy is performed in cases of biochemical recurrence after radiation or ablative therapies. Oncologic outcomes after sRARP are worse compared to primary surgery (pRARP) though improvements have been made with the robotic approach when compared to open salvage prostatectomy. Higher pre-sRARP PSA levels and more advanced pathologic stage portend worse oncologic outcomes. Patients meeting low-risk, EAU-biochemical recurrence criteria have improved oncologic outcomes compared to those with high-risk BCR. While complication rates in sRARP are higher compared to pRARP, Retzius sparing approaches may reduce complication rates, particularly rectal injuries. In comparison to the traditional open approach, sRARP is associated with a lower rate of bladder neck contracture. In terms of functional outcomes, potency rates after sRARP are poor and continence rates are low, though Retzius sparing approaches demonstrate acceptable recovery of urinary continence by 1 year, post-operatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Advances in the robotic platform and improvement in robotic experience have resulted in acceptable complication rates after sRARP. However, oncologic and functional outcomes after sRARP in both the post-radiation and post-ablation settings are worse compared to pRARP. Thus, when engaging in shared decision making with patients regarding the initial management of localized prostate cancer, patients should be educated regarding oncologic and functional outcomes and complications in the case of biochemically recurrent prostate cancer that may require sRARP.

Can a nomogram predict apical prostate cancer pathology upgrade from fusion biopsy to final pathology? A multicenter study

BACKGROUND

This study evaluates the efficacy of a nomogram for predicting the pathology upgrade of apical prostate cancer (PCa).

METHODS

A total of 754 eligible patients were diagnosed with apical PCa through combined systematic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-targeted prostate biopsy followed by radical prostatectomy (RP) were retrospectively identified from two hospitals (training: 754, internal validation: 182, internal-external validation: 148). A nomogram for the identification of apical tumors in high-risk pathology upgrades through comparing the results of biopsy and RP was established incorporating statistically significant risk factors based on univariable and multivariable logistic regression. The nomogram's performance was assessed via the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration plots, and decision curve analysis (DCA).

RESULTS

Univariable and multivariable analysis identified age, targeted biopsy, number of targeted cores, TNM stage, and the prostate imaging-reporting and data system score as significant predictors of apical tumor pathological progression. Our nomogram, based on these variables, demonstrated ROC curves for pathology upgrade with values of 0.883 (95% CI, 0.847-0.929), 0.865 (95% CI, 0.790-0.945), and 0.840 (95% CI, 0.742-0.904) for the training, internal validation and internal-external validation cohorts respectively. Calibration curves showed good consistency between the predicted and actual outcomes. The validation groups also showed great generalizability with the calibration curves. DCA results also demonstrated excellent performance for our nomogram with positive benefit across a threshold probability range of 0-0.9 for the training and internal validation group, and 0-0.6 for the internal-external validation group.

CONCLUSION

The nomogram, integrating clinical, radiological, and pathological data, effectively predicts the risk of pathology upgrade in apical PCa tumors. It holds significant potential to guide clinicians in optimizing the surgical management of these patients.

Late genitourinary toxicity in salvage radiotherapy for prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy: impact of daily fraction doses

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of daily fraction doses on late genitourinary (GU) toxicity after salvage radiotherapy (SRT) for prostate cancer.

METHODS

This multi-institutional retrospective study included 212 patients who underwent SRT between 2008 and 2018. All patients received image-guided intensity-modulated SRT at a median dose of 67.2 Gy in 1.8-2.3 Gy/fraction. The cumulative rates of late grade ≥2 GU and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities were compared using Gray test, stratified by the ≤2.0 Gy/fraction (n = 137) and ≥2.1 Gy/fraction groups (n = 75), followed by multivariate analyses. The total dose was represented as an equivalent dose in 2-Gy fractions (EQD2) with α/β = 3 Gy.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 63 months, the cumulative rates of 5-year late grade ≥2 GU and GI toxicities were 14% and 2.5%, respectively. The cumulative rates of 5-year late grade ≥2 GU toxicity in the ≥2.1 Gy/fraction and ≤2.0 Gy/fraction groups were 22% and 10%, respectively (P = .020). In the multivariate analysis, ≥2.1 Gy/fraction was still associated with an increased risk of late grade ≥2 GU toxicity (hazard ratio, 2.37; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-4.99; P = .023), while the total dose was not significant.

CONCLUSION

The present results showed that ≥2.1 Gy/fraction resulted in a higher incidence of late grade ≥2 GU toxicity in SRT.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

The impact of fraction doses on late GU toxicity after SRT remains unknown. The results suggest that higher fraction doses may increase the risk of late GU toxicity in SRT.

Development and Internal Validation of a Novel Nomogram Predicting the Outcome of Salvage Radiation Therapy for Biochemical Recurrence after Radical Prostatectomy in Patients without Metastases on Restaging Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography

Background and objective

Owing to the greater use of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in patients with biochemical recurrence (BCR) of prostate cancer (PCa) after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), patient selection for local salvage radiation therapy (sRT) has changed. Our objective was to determine the short-term efficacy of sRT in patients with BCR after RARP, and to develop a novel nomogram predicting BCR-free survival after sRT in a nationwide contemporary cohort of patients who underwent PSMA PET/CT before sRT for BCR of PCa, without evidence of metastatic disease.

Methods

All 302 eligible patients undergoing PCa sRT in four reference centers between September 2015 and August 2020 were included. We conducted multivariable logistic regression analysis using a backward elimination procedure to develop a nomogram for predicting biochemical progression of PCa, defined as prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ≥0.2 ng/ml above the post-sRT nadir within 1 yr after sRT.

Key findings and limitations

Biochemical progression of disease within 1 yr after sRT was observed for 56/302 (19%) of the study patients. The final predictive model included PSA at sRT initiation, pathological grade group, surgical margin status, PSA doubling time, presence of local recurrence on PSMA PET/CT, and the presence of biochemical persistence (first PSA result ≥0.1 ng/ml) after RARP. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for this model was 0.72 (95% confidence interval 0.64-0.79). Using our nomogram, patients with a predicted risk of >20% had a 30.8% chance of developing biochemical progression within 1 yr after sRT.

Conclusions

Our novel nomogram may facilitate better patient counseling regarding early oncological outcome after sRT. Patients with high risk of biochemical progression may be candidates for more extensive treatment.

Patient summary

We developed a new tool for predicting cancer control outcomes of radiotherapy for patients with recurrence of prostate cancer after surgical removal of their prostate. This tool may help in better counseling of these patients with recurrent cancer regarding their early expected outcome after radiotherapy.

Salvage vesiculectomy for local prostate cancer recurrence: surgical technique and early post-operative outcomes

PURPOSE

Isolated recurrence in remnants of the seminal vesicles (SV) after treatment of primary prostate cancer (PCa) has become a more frequent entity with the widespread use of more sensitive next-generation imaging modalities. Salvage vesiculectomy is hypothesized to be a worthwhile management option in these patients. The primary goal of this study is to describe the surgical technique of this new treatment option. Secondary outcomes are peri- and post-operative complications and early oncological outcomes.

METHODS

Retrospective multicenter study, including 108 patients with solitary recurrence in the SV treated between January 2009 and June 2022, was performed. Patients with local recurrences outside the SVs or with metastatic disease were excluded. Both SVs were resected using a robot-assisted or an open approach. In selected cases, a concomitant lymphadenectomy was performed.

RESULTS

Overall, 31 patients (29%) reported complications, all but one grade 1 to 3 on the Clavien-Dindo Scale. A median PSA decrease of 2.07 ng/ml (IQR: 0.80-4.33, p < 0.001), translating into a median PSA reduction of 92% (IQR: 59-98%) was observed. At a median follow-up of 14 months, freedom from secondary treatment was 54%. Lymphadenectomy had a significant influence on PSA reduction (p = 0.018).

CONCLUSION

Salvage vesiculectomy for PCa recurrence limited to the SV is a safe procedure with excellent PSA response and is a potential curative treatment in a subset of patients. A concomitant lymphadenectomy can best be performed in all patients that did not underwent one at primary treatment.

Management of Biochemical Recurrence of Prostate Cancer After Curative Treatment: A Focus on Older Patients

Following a treatment with curative intent, a biochemical recurrence may be diagnosed, often many years after the primary treatment. The consequences of this relapse on survival are very heterogeneous. The expected specific survival at relapse is above 50% at 10 years. Therefore, its management needs to be balanced with the individual life expectancy. The relapse needs to be categorized as either a low- or high-risk category. The latter has to be considered for salvage therapy, provided the individual life expectancy is long enough. It is evaluated through an initial geriatric assessment, starting with the G8 score as well as the mini-Cog. A comprehensive geriatric assessment might be needed based on the G8 score. Patients will then be categorized as either fit, vulnerable, or frail. If a local salvage therapy is considered, the relapse localization might be of interest in some situations. Available salvage therapies in senior adults have nothing special compared to salvage of younger men, except for aggressive local therapy, which might be less well tolerated. The key objective in managing a biochemical recurrence in senior adults is to find the right balance between under- and over-treatment in a shared decision process. In many frail and vulnerable men, a clinically oriented watchful waiting should be preferred, while fit men with an aggressive relapse and a significant life expectancy need an active therapy.

Comparison Between Dose-Escalated Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy and 3-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy for Salvage Radiation Therapy After Prostatectomy

Purpose

To compare long-term outcomes and late toxicity between patients treated with 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) and with dose-escalated intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) as salvage radiation therapy (SRT) after prostatectomy.

Methods and Materials

A total of 110 patients who had been treated at our institution between 2010 and 2018 with SRT for biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy were included. The patients were treated either by 3D-CRT with 64 Gy (59 patients) or by IMRT with 70 Gy (51 patients). The irradiation target was the prostate bed only (106 patients) or the prostate bed and pelvic region (4 patients). Twelve patients (11%) received concurrent androgen deprivation therapy. The differences in clinical outcomes and late gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicity between the 3D-CRT and IMRT groups were retrospectively assessed. Toxicities were recorded using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 5.0. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression after SRT was defined as an increase in the serum PSA level of 0.2 ng/mL from the PSA nadir after SRT and confirmed by a second PSA measurement that was higher than the first.

Results

The median follow-up time was 7.8 years for 3D-CRT (range:,0.3-9.2 years) and 3.1 years for IMRT (range, 0.4-7.2 years). There was no significant difference in the 4-year biochemical no-evidence-of-disease (bNED) rate between the 3D-CRT and IMRT groups (43.5% vs 52.1%; P = .20). Toxicity analysis showed no significant difference in late GI or GU toxicities of grade 2 or greater between the 3D-CRT and IMRT groups. The respective 4-year cumulative rates of toxicity in the 3D-CRT and IMRT groups were as follows: grade ≥2 GI toxicity, 8.8% and 4.4% (P = .42); grade ≥2 GU toxicity, 19.1% and 20.3% (P = .93); and grade ≥2 hematuria, 5.3% and 8.0% (P = .67). In the 3D-CRT group, the 8-year cumulative rates of GI toxicity, GU toxicity, and hematuria of grade 2 or greater were 8.8%, 28.4%, and 12.6%, respectively.

Conclusions

Dose-escalated IMRT showed no improvements in bNED or late toxicity compared with 3D-CRT. In addition, the results suggest that GU toxicity can occur after a long period (even after 6 years), whereas GI toxicity is seldom newly observed after 4 years.

The Use of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) Plus 150mg Bicalutamide as First Line Salvage Therapy for Local Recurrent Prostate Cancer

Patients with localized prostate cancer (PCa) are often treated with radical prostatectomy (RP). However, more than 30% of such patients have high risk of recurrence. Salvage radiotherapy (SRT), androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and combination of radiotherapy and ADT are the standard care for recurrent PCa. Recently, high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has gradually applied in the treatment of recurrent PCa. Here, we proposed a hypothesis that combined HIFU and bicalutamide 150mg as first line salvage therapy to treat patients with local recurrent PCa with visible lesions due to the following advantages: (1) HIFU is effective in reducing local tumor load, and bicalutamide 150mg is a feasible and safety option to combine with HIFU. (2) Compared with radiotherapy, HIFU plus 150mg bicalutamide is minimal invasiveness with fewer adverse effects and better quality of life(QOL); (3) Radiotherapy can be preserved as the second-line salvage method in the cases who are failure to HIFU and 150mg bicalutamide combination. More clinical trials are warranted to confirm this hypothesis in treatment with recurrent PCa.

Evaluation of Oncological Outcomes and Data Quality in Studies Assessing Nerve-sparing Versus Non-Nerve-sparing Radical Prostatectomy in Nonmetastatic Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review

CONTEXT

Surgical techniques aimed at preserving the neurovascular bundles during radical prostatectomy (RP) have been proposed to improve functional outcomes. However, it remains unclear if nerve-sparing (NS) surgery adversely affects oncological metrics.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the oncological safety of NS versus non-NS (NNS) surgery and to identify factors affecting the oncological outcomes of NS surgery.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

Relevant databases were searched for English language articles published between January 1, 1990 and May 8, 2020. Comparative studies for patients with nonmetastatic prostate cancer (PCa) treated with primary RP were included. NS and NNS techniques were compared. The main outcomes were side-specific positive surgical margins (ssPSM) and biochemical recurrence (BCR). Risk of bias (RoB) and confounding assessments were performed.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Out of 1573 articles identified, 18 studies recruiting a total of 21 654 patients were included. The overall RoB and confounding were high across all domains. The most common selection criteria for NS RP identified were characteristic of low-risk disease, including low core-biopsy involvement. Seven studies evaluated the link with ssPSM and showed an increase in ssPSM after adjustment for side-specific confounders, with the relative risk for NS RP ranging from 1.50 to 1.53. Thirteen papers assessing BCR showed no difference in outcomes with at least 12 mo of follow-up. Lack of data prevented any subgroup analysis for potentially important variables. The definitions of NS were heterogeneous and poorly described in most studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Current data revealed an association between NS surgery and an increase in the risk of ssPSM. This did not translate into a negative impact on BCR, although follow-up was short and many men harbored low-risk PCa. There are significant knowledge gaps in terms of how various patient, disease, and surgical factors affect outcomes. Adequately powered and well-designed prospective trials and cohort studies accounting for these issues with long-term follow-up are recommended.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Neurovascular bundles (NVBs) are structures containing nerves and blood vessels. The NVBs close to the prostate are responsible for erections. We reviewed the literature to determine if a technique to preserve the NVBs during removal of the prostate causes worse cancer outcomes. We found that NVB preservation was poorly defined but, if applied, was associated with a higher risk of cancer at the margins of the tissue removed, even in patients with low-risk prostate cancer. The long-term importance of this finding for patients is unclear. More data are needed to provide recommendations.

Tumor Biological Feature and Its Association with Positive Surgical Margins and Apical Margins after Radical Prostatectomy in Non-Metastasis Prostate Cancer

Purpose: We assessed clinical and tumor biological features and evaluated their association with positive surgical margins (PSMs) and positive apical margins (PAMs) variability after radical prostatectomy (RP) in men with non-metastasis prostate cancer (nmPCa) in our institute. Patients and methods: During the period from January 2013 to December 2017, clinical and pathological data were collected in 200 patients with nmPCa undergoing RP in the Urological department of Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute. Surgical and apical margins were stated negative and positive, separately. A dichotomous logistic regression model was used to assess clinical and tumor biological features including age, total prostate volume (TPV), biopsy positive cores (BPC), D’Amico risk grade, tumor clinical stage, International Society of Urologic Pathology (ISUP) grade, tPSA, f/t and pelvic lymph nodes (PLN) invasion, and their association with PSMs and PAMs was evaluated. Results: Overall, men with nmPCa in this study had a high ISUP grade (58.5% grade 3–5), high risk grade (89.4%) and high clinical T stage (56% cT3-4). PSMs were detected in 106 patients; the rate of PSMs was 53%. Among patients with PSMs, 83% were PAMs; the overall rate of PAMs was 44%. Among patients with PSMs, high risk (OR, 1.439; p = 0.023), cT3a (OR, 1.737; p = 0.045), cT3b (OR, 5.286; p < 0.001), cT4 (OR, 6.12; p < 0.001), ISUP Grade 4 (OR, 2; p = 0.034) and Grade 5 (OR, 6.167; p < 0.001) and PLN invasion (OR, 6; p = 0.019) were strongly associated with PSMs using a dichotomous logistic regression univariable model, and high risk (OR, 6; p = 0.019), cT3a (OR, 5.116; p = 0.048), cT3b (OR, 9.194; p = 0.008), cT4 (OR, 4.58; p = 0.01), ISUP Grade 4 (OR, 7.04; p = 0.035), Grade 5 (OR, 16.514; p = 0.002) and PLN invasion (OR, 5.516; p = 0.03) were independently associated with PSMs by using multivariable analysis. Among patients with PAMs, cT3b (OR, 2.667; p = 0.004), cT4 (OR, 3; p = 0.034) and proportion of BPC (OR, 4.594; p = 0.027) were strongly associated with PAMs by using a dichotomous logistic regression univariable model, and cT3b (OR, 3.899; p = 0.02), cT4 (OR, 2.8; p = 0.041) and proportion of BPC (OR, 5.247; p = 0.04) were independently associated with PSMs by using multivariable analysis. Conclusions: Patients with nmPCa in our institute had high risk, high ISUP grade and high clinical stage. Tumor biological factors were strongly associated with PSMs and PAMs, and PLN invasion was independently associated with PSMs. The risk factors influenced the status of surgical margins, and apical margins were different.

Salvage Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer

For patients experiencing biochemical recurrence in the absence of distant metastasis, salvage radiotherapy (SRT) with or without androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is currently the only possible curative treatment option. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) monitoring and the selected use of SRT has some advantages when compared with adjuvant radiotherapy. The most important one is avoidance of a potential overtreatment of patients who would never have disease progression, even in the presence of high-risk pathological features. The identification of a specific PSA cut-off seems to be incorrect. In patients with more adverse pathological features, early SRT administered at the very first sign of a PSA rise granted better disease control. Dose-intensified SRT is feasible and well tolerated with no significant difference in grade 2 or more acute and late toxicity. At least 66 Gy must be given in the salvage setting. ADT has a radio-sensitising effect on the radiotherapy by inhibiting the repair of DNA double-strand breaks. The use of ADT in the salvage setting results in a better oncological outcome. Hormonal therapy is associated with a decrease in quality of life and side-effects depending on the duration of hormone therapy. The oncological benefit of hormone therapy duration depends on their clinical and pathological characteristics. 68-Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography-computed tomography is the gold standard in staging prostate cancer patients with biochemical persistence or recurrence after radical prostatectomy. The implementation of 18F-labelled PSMA tracers can provide a further improvement.

Quality of Life Changes >10 Years After Postoperative Radiation Therapy After Radical Prostatectomy for Prostate Cancer

PURPOSE

To analyze long-term quality-of-life (QoL) changes related to postoperative radiation therapy (RT) after radical prostatectomy.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Patients who received postoperative 3-dimensional conformal RT in the years 2003 to 2008 with 1.8 to 2.0 Gy fractions up to 66.0 to 66.6 Gy (n = 181) were surveyed using the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite questionnaire before the beginning of RT (A); on the last day (B); and 2 months (C), 1 to 3 years (D), 6 to 9 years (E), and 10 to 13 years (F) after RT.

RESULTS

Mean urinary bother, urinary incontinence bother, and bowel bother score changes (in relation to baseline at time A) of 13, 14, and 7 and 14, 15, and 7 were found at times E and F, respectively (P < .01 for all comparisons). Sexual function scores decreased 6 and 8 points on average (P < .01). Patient age at the time of RT had a considerable impact on urinary bother and urinary incontinence bother, with increasing differences over time when comparing patients aged <68 versus ≥68 years: 0 versus 7 and 0 versus 7 points at time D and 8 versus 23 and 6 versus 35 points at time F, respectively. Patients who did not respond to RT with a decreasing prostate-specific antigen level had greater urinary and urinary incontinence bother and bowel bother score changes >10 years after treatment (25 vs 12; P = .04, 36 vs 10; P = .03, and 20 vs 5; P = .07, respectively). A higher rectal dose was associated with greater acute and long-term bowel bother score decrease. No correlation was found between the dose to the bladder and QoL changes.

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to early evaluations in the first years, significantly decreasing QoL in the urinary, bowel, and sexual domains was found >5 years after RT. Aging is likely to be a major factor. Younger patients who responded to the treatment had the most favorable long-term QoL results. As 3-dimensional conformal RT was used in this study, intensity modulated concepts could result in improved outcomes.