Radiation induced cystitis prophylactics and treatment with hydrogel compositions in rectal cancer patients: a retrospective study
Authors: Korytov O. V. , Korytova L. I. 
Published: January 2023

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of rectal cancer in different countries tends to increase over the past 10 years. In the Russian Federation, the incidence of rectal cancer accounts for about 4.5% of the total oncological incidence, where stage III–IV is 25.9% and 23%, respectively. In the light of current trends, national clinical guidelines from different countries recommend starting the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer with radiation or chemoradiotherapy. Radiation therapy is usually accompanied by radiation reactions and complications. For the last 10–15 years, hydrogel compositions have been included in the treatment of radiation reactions along with basic drugs.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of the use of hydrogel compositions for the prevention and treatment of radiation reactions during irradiation of patients with rectal cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 257 patients, including 146 men and 111 women aged 27 to 88 years, the median was 59 years old, who lived in St. Petersburg, the Leningrad Region and in other regions of the Russian Federation, who received radiation therapy since 2013 to 2019 for rectal cancer. The severity of radiation reactions was assessed by the current RTOG/EORTC. Basic drug therapy, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antispasmodics, hemostatic agents, oil mixtures, etc., was used in 47% of patients. In the course of radiation therapy, 35 patients were prescribed hydrogel-based composite preparations with derinat, dioxidine and lidocaine.

Statistics: Data processing was carried out using the Excel spreadsheet editor, as well as the Statistica 10 for Windows statistical data processing software package.

RESULTS: Radiation proctitis was registered in 81 (31.5%), dermatitis in 50 (19.5%), cystitis in 45 (17.5%), enterocolitis, enteritis or colitis in 28 (10.9%), hematological toxicity in 8 (3.1%), vaginitis in 8 (3.1%), other in 7 (2.7%) patients. Taking into account that the bladder is the most frequently irradiated organ in cases where the target tumor is localized in adjacent organs of the small pelvis, as well as the lack of prevention and treatment standards (golden standard), radiation cystitis, which poisons the lives of apparently healthy patients, was carried out study of the effect of hydrogel compositions in the appointment of these drugs before, during and after the end of radiation therapy compared with the control. In the study group, a later onset of cystitis was noted (with SD from 20 to 34 Gy), the frequency of cystitis was 9% (p<0.05), the severity did not exceed 1 degree. In the control group, radiation reactions occurred when SD reached 14 to 27 Gy. RIC grade 1 was diagnosed in 10.3%, grade 2 in 8.8%, grade 3 in 5.9%. The overall frequency of RIC in the control group was 25%. Thus, the frequency of RIC in the control group significantly exceeded that in the main group. Further observations showed that patients, diagnosed with rectal cancer, who received hydrogel compositions suffered from overall incidence of late radiotherapy complications 2 times lower — 8.2% vs. 17.2%, respectively (p<0.05).

DISCUSSION: The impact of radiation reactions and complications on the quality of life of rectal cancer patients is actively discussed in the Russian Federation and abroad. At the same time, the incidence of rectal cancer in the world is growing, as well as the need for radiation therapy. Radiation cystitis is a recognized complication of radiation therapy of the pelvic organs. The frequency of RIC, according to various authors, ranges from 23 to 80%. Hydrogel compositions are one of the proven effective means of combating radiation damage.

CONCLUSION: the presence of radiation reactions during pre/postoperative radiation therapy for rectal cancer significantly contributes to a decrease in the five-year survival rate of patients. The frequency of radiation cystitis significantly decreases against the background of the appointment of hydrogel compositions before, during and after radiation therapy.