Analysis of dose-related factors in small intestine exposure to preoperative radiotherapy for rectal cancer / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To analyze the related factors affecting the dose to the small intestine exposure to preoperative radiotherapy for rectal cancer, aiming to provide reference for alleviating the adverse reactions of radiotherapy for rectal cancer.Methods:Medical record data and radiotherapy plan information of 138 rectal cancer patients who received intensity-modulated arc radiotherapy at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from May 2021 to February 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Tumor staging, tumor location, gender, age, planned bladder volume, body mass index (BMI), and small intestine irradiation dose volume were subject to Spearman correlation analysis. Further grouping and comparison were conducted based on the correlation results. Independent sample non parametric tests were used for inter group comparison.Results:The main factors related to the small intestine irradiation dose volume were tumor location, gender, planned bladder volume, and BMI. Tumor location was weakly correlated with the small intestine V 5 Gy-V 45 Gy. Gender was weakly correlated with the small intestine V 30 Gy-V 45 Gy. Planned bladder volume was weakly negatively correlated with the small intestine V 20 Gy-V 45 Gy. BMI was weakly negatively correlated with the small intestine V 10 Gy-V 45 Gy. Grouping comparison analysis showed that the small intestine V 5 Gy-V 45 Gy of rectal cancer patients in the low position group was significantly smaller than those in the middle and high position groups (both P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the middle and high position groups ( P>0.05). Female rectal cancer patients had higher V 30 Gy-V 45 Gy levels than male counterparts ( P<0.05). The small intestine V 20 Gy and V 25 Gy levels in the planned bladder volume <200 ml group were significantly higher than those in the 200-400 ml and >400 ml groups (all P<0.05), whereas there was no difference between the 200-400 ml and >400 ml groups ( P>0.05). The small intestine V 30 Gy-V 45 Gy levels in the 200-400 ml group were significantly lower than those in the <200 ml group, but higher than those in the >400 ml group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Regarding BMI comparison among groups, the small intestine V 15 Gy-V 45 Gy in the low body weight group was significantly higher than those in the other three groups (all P<0.05). There were no significant differences among the normal, overweight, and obese groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion:In preoperative radiotherapy for rectal cancer, more attention should be paid to the dose to the small intestine in patients with middle and high position rectal cancer, female patients, and patients with low body weight.