RADIOTHERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF LOWER URINARY TRACT TUMORS

Abstract

Radiotherapy, . has proved its usefulness in the treatment of lower urinary tract malignancies and its main goal is to deliver a high dose of energy to the ltunor while preserving normal surrounding tissue. We may use either external-beam radiotherapy or interstitial irradiation . External-beam radiotherapy may be conventional or conformal three­ dimensional computer aided radiotherapy. The interstitial radiation has an excellent results in the treatment oflocally advanced ttunors through seeding of radioactive materials such as I-125, Ir- 192, and Pd-103 inside the tumor to destroy malignant cells . Prostate cancer is one of the most common tumors in men, and the use of radiotherapy in its treatment give excellent results, either by external beam or brachytherapy. Bladder cancer is the second most common genitourinary neoplasm, and radiotherapy may be used for control of local disease and preservation of the bladder. Also, radiotherapy has a good role in treatment of urethral cancer.