Technologies to reduce radiation toxicity in prostate cancer patients: spacers - a simple and effective solution

Abstract

The basic principles of the treatment of prostate cancer patients have underwent significant revisions in recent years. Modern radiotherapy techniques, which have demonstrated high efficacy and safety in long-term randomized trials, are beginning to take a leading position in the treatment of prostate cancer in an overwhelming number of clinical scenarios (National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 2021). Despite the obvious successes of radiation oncology, a number of important problems remain unresolved, first of all - the need to reduce the rates of radiation complications. The topographical anatomy of the prostate gland determines the main profiles of post-radiation damage: rectal and genitourinary radiation toxicity. The previous five years have been marked by a significant intensification of research work abroad aimed at clinical testing of a number of biopolymer compositions and products for use as spacers between irradiated structures and normal tissues. The experience has made it possible for the first time to consider the possibility of using spacers in radiotherapy treatment of prostate cancer in the modern recommendations of the European Association of Urology (2021). The analysis of the national literature shows a complete lack of publications on the possibilities of optimizing the radiation treatment of prostate cancer through the use of specers. The purpose of this work was the need to highlight this important and perspective clinical problem.