Angela Kempen 11/15/2011

Problem Statement: Bladder and rectum filling variation Who: Patients undergoing treatment for prostate cancer What: Efficacy of treatment with bladder and rectum volume changes When: 2011-2013 Where: Gundersen Lutheran hospital in La Crosse, Wisconsin How: Studying patient treatment plans and reviewing routine imaging throughout treatment

The purpose of this study is to analyze prostate treatments, and determine if bladder and rectum filling variation occurs. Treatment delivered each day with bladder and rectum volume changes may be compromised if large variations exist. Data will be collected from the initial treatment plan, in addition to routine imaging throughout the entire course of treatment. Many physicians prefer to simulate and treat a patient with prostate cancer with a full bladder. This sometimes results in easier contouring, in addition to helping push the prostate away from the bladder, in hopes of achieving decreased bladder doses. However, obtaining reproducibility of the bladder and rectum with the same volume of fluid, compared to when the treatment plan was constructed, each day for treatment may be difficult. Daily imaging such as cone-beam CT will provide the volumetric information for the bladder and rectum. The purpose of this study is to collect CBCT data for bladder, rectum and prostate, compare CBCT data to initial treatment plan, and provide possible improvements to the existing treatment regimen for prostate patients.