Lower urinary tract infections from external beam radiation therapy in prostate cancer: A single institution experience

Giandomenico Roviello; Daniele Generali; Michele Aieta; Alberto Bonetta

doi:10.1016/j.rpor.2018.06.001

Lower urinary tract infections from external beam radiation therapy in prostate cancer: A single institution experience

Rep Pract Oncol Radiother. 2018 Jul-Aug;23(4):298-299. doi: 10.1016/j.rpor.2018.06.001. Epub 2018 Jul 17.

Authors

Giandomenico Roviello¹, Daniele Generali^{2

3}, Michele Aieta¹, Alberto Bonetta⁴

Affiliations

¹ Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Onco-Hematology, IRCCS-CROB, Referral Cancer Center of Basilicata, via Padre Pio 1, 85028 Rionero, Vulture (PZ), Italy.
² Department of Medical, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Piazza Ospitale 1, 34129 Trieste, Italy.
³ Breast Cancer Unit and Translational Research Unit, ASST Cremona, Viale Concordia 1, 26100 Cremona, Italy.
⁴ Oncological Radiotherapy Operative Unit, Istituti Ospedalieri di Cremona, Cremona, Italy.

Abstract

External beam radiation therapy (EMRT) is effective for the treatment of localized prostate cancer. Lower urinary tract infections (LUTIs) are considered one of the main possible adverse events related to External beam radiation therapy. Here we analyzed the incidence of LUTI during EMRT. Urinary tract infection was assumed when the findings of bacteriuria exceeded 100,000 units/mL, accompanied by specific cystitis symptoms. Among the total 540 analyzed patient, 208 (38.5%) developed a LUTI. E. coli was the main microorganism involved in LUTIs (102, 49.04%) with 8 cases of a combination between E. coli and another germ. In conclusion, a risk of urinary infections in cancer patients treated with pelvic radiotherapy was observed, in order to reduce the use of antibiotic resistance, preventive treatment with non-antibiotic agents 5 are warranted.

Keywords: Prostate cancer; Radiation; Urinary tract infections.