Bowel Disorder Incidence and Rectal Spacer Use in Patients With Prostate Cancer Undergoing Radiotherapy.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

The polyethylene glycol-based hydrogel spacer (PHS) system temporarily separates the rectum from the prostate in patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) for prostate cancer (PCa).

Objective

To compare incidence of bowel disorders and related procedures in patients receiving RT with and without PHS.

Design, setting, and participants

This retrospective cohort study used 4 datasets: Medicare 5% Standard Analytic Files, Medicare 100% Standard Analytic Files, Merative MarketScan Commercial Database, and Premier Healthcare Database. Participants included adult patients with PCa undergoing RT from 2015 to 2021.

Exposure

Placement of PHS.

Main outcomes

All-cause bowel disorders and related procedures, identified from diagnosis and procedure codes. Resul

SUBMITTER: Folkert MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11897833 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature