Current topics in radiotherapy for genitourinary cancers: Consensus statements of the Genitourinary Radiation Oncologists of Canada

Abstract

Introduction

The biennial meeting of the Genitourinary Radiation Oncologists of Canada (GUROC) took place November 22–23, 2019. A consensus-building session was held during the meeting addressing topics of emerging interest or controversy in the management of genitourinary malignancies.

Methods

Draft statements were debated among all meeting attendees in an open forum with anonymous live voting. Statements for which there was at least 75% agreement among attendees were adopted as GUROC consensus.

Results

Four evidence-based consensus statements were developed. First, the use of prostate radiotherapy is recommended in the setting of de novo low-volume metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer to improve overall survival. Second, the support of ongoing randomized trials evaluating metastasis-directed ablative local therapy in oligometastatic prostate cancer is recommended; where such trials are available, off-trial use of oligometastasis-directed ablative radiotherapy at this time is strongly discouraged. Third, routine use of prostate-rectal hydrogel spacer devices in patients with localized prostate cancer planned to receive external beam radiotherapy is not recommended; instead, selective use in patients at highest risk of rectal toxicity may be considered. Finally, multidisciplinary consultation is recommended for all patients with newly diagnosed localized muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Conclusions

The GUROC consensus statements provide practical guidance to clinicians in areas of current controversy in the management of prostate and bladder cancer, and it is hoped that their implementation will contribute to improved outcomes in real-world practice and greater support of clinical trials.