The purpose of this study is to determine the degree of prostate displacement, due to bladder filling variations and differences

in rectum volumes. The intent of sampling is to select a smaller group of individuals that accurately represents the entire population.1 I will be sampling from patients treated for prostate cancer at Gundersen Lutheran in La Crosse, WI, during the years of 2011 and 2012. Retrospective data collected from the past year will be included. I will select patients from the same Radiation Oncologist. The population I will be sampling from consists of patients with a diagnosis of early stage prostate cancer, therefore having an intact prostate without nodal involvement. I am trying to determine prostate displacement; therefore, these requirements eliminate seminal vesicle or nodal targets, allowing full concentration on the prostate PTV or target. It would be ideal to sample a large population, however, realistically between ten and twenty patients will be included in the study. The patients must have IGRT treatment plans, with additional cone beam CT images acquired throughout the course of treatment. It is necessary to have documentation of both to allow for comparison of volume studies and volume variations of the prostate, bladder and rectum. Furthermore, data from imaging is required, in order to re-plan for dose volume histogram comparisons of the bladder and rectum.

REFERENCES: 1. DePoy E, Gitlin L. Introduction to Research: Understanding and Applying Multiple Strategies. 4th Ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2011.