Management of radiation cystitis

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Radiation Oncology

Background:

• Radiation cystitis is a common complication of pelvic radiotherapy.
• It can manifest acutely during or shortly after treatment, or late, months to years later.
• Late radiation cystitis often presents with hematuria, ranging from mild to severe.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the management of radiation cystitis.
• To highlight various treatment modalities for radiation-induced bladder damage.
• To discuss the potential role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in refractory cases.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on radiation cystitis management.
• Description of conservative and interventional treatment options.
• Inclusion of data on hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) efficacy.

Main Results:

• Acute radiation cystitis is typically self-limiting and managed conservatively.
• Late radiation cystitis requires diverse management strategies, including conservative measures, intravesical agents, surgical interventions, and HBOT.
• Reported success rates for HBOT in radiation cystitis range from 60% to 92%.

Conclusions:

• Radiation cystitis management varies based on severity and timing (acute vs. late).
• A range of treatments exist, from conservative care to aggressive surgical options.
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a promising treatment for refractory radiation cystitis, with ongoing trials to confirm its efficacy.