Serum Testosterone 60 Months after Passive-Scatter Proton Therapy for Localized Prostate Cancer.

Studies demonstrate a decline of ∼10% in serum testosterone (ST) level after X-ray radiotherapy for prostate cancer. We evaluated changes in ST for patients with low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer receiving 70-82Gy(RBE) using passive-scatter proton therapy (PT). ST was checked at baseline (n = 358) and at 60+ months after PT (n = 166).

Rectal Culture and Sensitivity Analysis for Reducing Sepsis Risk After Fiducial Marker Placement.

Purpose: Placement of fiducial markers for prostate radiotherapy (RT) is associated with a 2% to 3% risk of bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI) that may progress to sepsis necessitating hospitalization. These bacterial UTIs are primarily due to flouroquinolone (FQ) resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli).

Bacterial Urinary Tract Infection after Transrectal Placement of Fiducial Markers prior to Proton Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer.

Purpose: To determine the incidence of a bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI) necessitating hospitalization after transrectal placement of fiducial markers prior to proton radiotherapy (RT) for prostate cancer.

Materials And Methods: Six hundred sixty six patients returning for follow up after proton RT consented to participate in this institutional review board (IRB) approved study. Patients were queried whether they required hospitalization within 1 month of transrectal placement of fiducial markers.

Hemorrhagic radiation cystitis.

The optimal management of persistent hemorrhagic radiation cystitis is ill-defined. Various options are available and include oral agents (ie, sodium pentosan polysulfate), intravenous drugs (ie, WF10), topical agents (ie, formalin), hyperbaric oxygen, and endoscopic procedures (ie, electrical cautery, argon plasma coagulation, laser coagulation). In general, it is best to manage patients conservatively and intervene only when necessary with the option least likely to exacerbate the cystitis.

Hypofractionated passively scattered proton radiotherapy for low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer is not associated with post-treatment testosterone suppression.

Background: To investigate post-treatment changes in serum testosterone in low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients treated with hypofractionated passively scattered proton radiotherapy.

Material And Methods: Between April 2008 and October 2011, 228 patients with low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer were enrolled into an institutional review board-approved prospective protocol. Patients received doses ranging from 70 Cobalt Gray Equivalent (CGE) to 72.

Contribution of flexor pollicis longus to pinch strength: an in vivo study.

Purpose: To estimate the contribution of the flexor pollicis longus (FPL) to key pinch strength. Secondary outcomes include tip pinch, 3-point chuck pinch, and grip strength.

Methods: Eleven healthy volunteers consented to participate in the study.

Proton radiotherapy for prostate cancer is not associated with post-treatment testosterone suppression.

Purpose: Three independent studies of photon (x-ray) radiotherapy (RT) for prostate cancer have demonstrated evidence of testosterone suppression after treatment. The present study was undertaken to determine whether this would also be the case with conformal protons.

Methods And Materials: Between August 2006 and October 2007, 171 patients with low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer were enrolled and underwent treatment according to the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute institutional review board-approved PR01 and PR02 protocols.

Combined urinary and fecal diversion using a no bowel anastomosis technique.

Purpose: We present the experience at our institution with combined fecal and urinary diversion using 3 variations of a no anastomosis technique that avoids bowel anastomosis.

Materials And Methods: The charts of 10 female and 2 male patients who underwent the no bowel anastomosis technique were identified and reviewed. Information on the etiology of urination and defecation abnormalities, surgical resolution, complications, hospital stay and other pertinent aspects of management were retrospectively reviewed.