Lethal outcome after pelvic salvage radiotherapy in a patient with prostate cancer due to increased radiosensitivity : Case report and literature review

Abstract

Background: In general, late side effects after salvage radiotherapy (RT) for prostate cancer are below 10%. Patients with impaired DNA repair ability and genetic instability can have significantly increased reactions after RT.

Case, clinical follow-up, and examination: We present a patient who experienced severe side effects after additive RT for prostate cancer and died from the complications 25 months after RT. Imaging (MR) is shown as well as three-color fluorescence in situ hybridization. The blood sample testing revealed that radiosensitivity was increased by 35-55%. We undertook a review of the literature to give an overview over the tests established that are currently considered useful.

Conclusion: This case highlights that the identification of patients with increased radiosensitivity is an important task in radiation protection. Groups of patients who should be screened have to be found and corresponding research facilities have to be set up.

Keywords: DNA repair; Fluorescence in situ hybridization; Radiation protection; Radiation toxicity; Radiosensitivity.