GI factors, potential to predict prostate motion during radiotherapy; a scoping review

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiotherapy
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Prostate motion during radiotherapy introduces treatment uncertainty.
• Gastrointestinal (GI) factors are increasingly recognized as potential influencers of this motion.
• Personalized radiotherapy requires understanding patient-specific factors affecting treatment delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key gastrointestinal factors influencing prostate motion during radiotherapy.
• To explore the potential of measuring these GI factors for predicting motion uncertainty.
• To facilitate personalized radiotherapy through optimized treatment techniques and patient preparation.

Main Methods:

• A scoping literature review was conducted following JBI guidelines.
• Searches were performed across Ovid Medline®, EMBASE, CINAHL, and EBSCO discovery databases.
• English articles from 2010-present were included, excluding specific populations and conditions.

Main Results:

• Six prevalent GI factors influencing prostate motion were identified: depression, anxiety, diabetes, obesity, low physical activity, and pelvic floor disorder.
• Reliable and accessible tools exist for quantifying these identified factors.
• The review identified 42 articles on mental health, 53 on co-morbidity and medication, 39 on physical activity, and 28 on pelvic floor disorder.

Conclusions:

• A comprehensive GI factor assessment package has been developed for radiotherapy clinics.
• Early identification of these GI factors enables personalized radiotherapy approaches.
• Optimizing treatment techniques and patient preparation can mitigate motion uncertainty.