IGMRT Empty Bladder Protocol

[SherryKahn]

My husband started his IGMRT treatment for Prostate cancer and they didn't ask him to drink water or have a full bladder. Is an empty bladder protocol typical? And does it factor into later toxicity issues? Appreciate any input form others who have had this.

[Jpburns]

Did he do a “CT-Sim” where they simulate the treatment to determine things like organ location, bladder capacity, and stuff like that?

Honestly this sounds like a question for your doctor.

[SherryKahn in reply to Jpburns]

Yes he did. And I asked his dr waiting for his reply but was curious nonetheless.

[Tall_Allen]

He should do whatever he did in the planning CT.

Many like a comfortably full bladder because it lifts the bladder away from the prostate and restricts prostate motion. But it doesn't seem to really make a difference:

redjournal.org/article/S036...

[SherryKahn]

For the planning CT he had a full bladder but not today for the actual IGMRT. Thank you Tal for the article reassuring to read.

[Atdabeach]

I was told that the full bladder lifted it away from the prostate, allowing them to zap the prostate with less incidental radiation hitting the bladder. I'm really surprised the the techs doing the radiation didn't harp on the "full bladder every time" directive -- mine sure did!